Over 300 DNA samples collected to identify victims

Ahmedabad: The DNA sample collection drive to identify the victims of the AI 171 plane crash concluded on Saturday, with authorities collecting over 300 blood samples. In many cases, multiple samples were taken from the same individual to increase the likelihood of a positive match.
Officials said that samples were also received from the families of foreign nationals and crew members. "So far, we are awaiting just four samples; three from foreign nationals and one from an Indian passenger," a senior official said. "As soon as they arrive, they too will be processed."
HP Sanghvi, director of the Directorate of Forensic Sciences (DFS) Gujarat, said that a team of 36 DNA experts is working round-the-clock at DFS labs in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.
Experts from the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) have also joined the effort.
"In a crash of this nature, the intense heat at the site often destroys tissues, making sample collection and analysis extremely difficult, DNA extraction might take 36 to 48 hours. At times, we reanalyse samples if the first results are inconclusive," said Sanghvi.
Officials said a dedicated DNA collection centre was set up within hours of the crash, with help from medical teams. "The process is not just about identification. There are long-term legal implications. Every step is being documented and carried out with scientific rigour," said an official.
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