In 18 years, NFDPL has given DNA report of 4662 cases
The National Forensic DNA Profiling Laboratory (NFDPL) has reported 4,662 cases of forensic DNA profiling (deoxyribonucleic acid test sample verification) in the last 18 years. From 2006 to June 2024, in view of a total of 8 thousand 917 cases, this lab under the Directorate of Laboratory Management of DNA has given this report to the concerned after verifying 31 thousand 445 DNA test samples.
On Tuesday (June 25), the Director General (DG) of the Directorate of Laboratory Management of DNA DR. A. M Parvez Rahim conveyed this information in the seminar titled 'DNA Forensic Science: Bangladesh Perspective'. On the occasion of DNA Day-2024, the laboratory management department of DNA organized this seminar in the Seminar Room of National Women's Organization.
Dr. A. M Parvez Rahim presented the main article in the seminar. In the original article he said, National Forensic DNA Profiling Laboratory (NFDPL) is the first DNA lab in Bangladesh. The lab was established under the Multisectoral Program for Prevention of Violence against Women under the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs. This lab has been running since 2006 in the Nuclear Medicine Building of Dhaka Medical College.
He also said that this technology has proved unsuccessful in suppressing violent crimes like murder or rape, in determining paternity and motherhood or in recovering the identity of the deceased or in determining the relationship between kidney donor and recipient. This technology plays an effective role in identifying the guilty or exonerating false accusations from the initial stage of the case to various stages of the trial process and post-trial truth discovery.
He also said that DNA screening laboratories have been set up in 8 medical college hospitals in 8 divisional cities to spread DNA testing facilities across the country. From where the screening signal or sample is sent to NFDPL for further testing.
However, Dr. A. M Parvez Rahim said that there are various problems including the manpower crisis of this important lab and department. He said, at present, the activities of the Directorate of DNA are being conducted by renting 3 rooms in the building of the National Women's Organization. DNA labs with evidence of various cases are accumulating huge number of samples every day, which do not have enough space to store them. Without permanent office resources, the entire operation will be disrupted. Currently DNA Lab does not have a policy for distributing user fees collected. Formulation of policies for equitable distribution of government hospitals is necessary. DNA profiling is a high-tech subject. Therefore, specific need based foreign training is necessary to improve the skills of the working manpower. Besides, many illegal DNA laboratories are being run across the country. Formulation of National DNA Policy is necessary to take effective action against them.
State Minister for Women and Child Affairs Simin Hossain Rimi was present as the chief guest in the seminar. She said, DNA test is very important. Through DNA testing, not only criminals are identified or innocent people are released, but as science progresses, DNA testing will play a very important role in diagnosing human diseases in the future.
He also said that the Directorate of DNA Laboratory Management has some demands. We agree with their demand. Their demands for DNA testing are very reasonable. We hope that their needs including recruitment of manpower will be met very soon.
Najma Mubarek, Secretary of the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs, and Shahana Sharmin, Executive Director of the National Women's Organization, Keya Khan, Director General of the Women's Affairs Directorate, Anjir Liton, Director General of Bangladesh Shishu Academy, were also present in the seminar.
