Forensic Science Laboratory Agra.
Jagran correspondent, Agra. It was not easy for the team of scientists to obtain DNA from the samples of some people who died in the accident on the Yamuna Expressway in Baldev, Mathura on the morning of 16 December. After the accident, the horrific fire that broke out in the vehicles burnt the people trapped in them to such an extent that only bones and teeth were left.
Bones and teeth were sent as samples for identification of the bodies. In which there were four to five such samples which were getting crushed like coal as soon as they were taken for testing. In such a situation, not only did the state-of-the-art machines do their job, the team of scientists under the leadership of Joint Director Ashok Kumar also gave their full experience.
It was a big challenge to obtain DNA from many samples which were crumbling like burnt coal.
The team of scientists used to melt the samples in chemicals, put them in the machines and then set the timer. Each machine takes a set amount of time to extract DNA from the samples. It automatically switches off after the specified time. Scientists study the sample after taking it from the machine. If the results are partial or not as desired, the machines are run again to obtain DNA from the sample. Forget food and drink, the team of scientists remained fully engaged in this. She continued to extract DNA from the samples and analyze them.
Scientists continued this process for 160 hours continuously. When the process of collecting DNA from the dead bodies started after midnight on Sunday, there was excitement on the faces of the scientists. However, the challenge of extracting DNA from two samples remains.
Four steps of technology through which DNA was obtained
Shri Krishna Maurya, Deputy Director of DNA Section, explains that there are four technical steps to obtain and match DNA from any sample. DNA sequencing is a method that determines the sequence of the four nucleotide bases adenine, thymine, cytosine and guanine (ATCG).
ATCGs form DNA molecules and carry important genetic information. The human genome contains approximately three billion base pairs. To read them, the help of DNA sequencer is taken. DNA sequencers are devices that read DNA samples and generate an electronic file with symbols. Which represent the nitrogenous bases adenine, thymine, cytosine and guanine of the samples. Step 1 – DNA extraction: The team of scientists dissolved the samples in chemicals to extract DNA from them. All these samples were put in state-of-the-art machines for analysis. Second phase – Quantitative: The quantity obtained from the samples with the help of machines is determined in RTPR. It is seen whether the quantity obtained is adequate for DNA profiling or not. This was the most important stage for scientists. This stage took the most time. The results obtained from the samples were not such that they could be analyzed. Therefore, many times the results were obtained again from the machines. Third phase - PCR: In this, with the help of the machine, the scientists made millions of DNA copies of the DNA profiles obtained. Due to which the DNA testing process was taken forward. Fourth phase - Analyzer: The scientists sequenced the DNA profiles obtained through PCR in the third phase, after which it was matched with the samples sent by the police. It was observed that the DNA profile obtained was matching with which profile of which sample sent by the police. By Tuesday afternoon, under this process, scientists were successful in identifying 11 from the DNA obtained from 13 samples.
Team of scientists doing DNA test
Under the direction of Joint Director Agra Forensic Lab Ashok Kumar, the team engaged in extracting DNA from the samples includes Anita Pundhir (Deputy Director Ghaziabad Forensic Lab), Pragati Singh (Deputy Director Lucknow Forensic Lab), besides scientific officers Pawan Kumar and Shashi Shekhar Pandey (Agra). Apart from this, 10 people including two scientific assistants are included in the team.
Samples of two dead bodies will go to Lucknow lab, DNA will be extracted through mitochondria technique.
Agra. Of the 15 samples sent by Mathura Police, two will be sent to Lucknow Forensic Lab. These samples were in very bad condition. Scientists got partial results from them. Both the samples are being re-examined. However, results are not expected to be achieved. Scientists at Agra Forensic Lab had obtained DNA from 13 samples through nucleus technique. The advanced technology behind this is mitochondria. With the help of which DNA will be obtained from the samples. At present only Lucknow and Moradabad Forensic Labs have high-tech machines for extracting DNA through mitochondria technology in UP.
That's why mitochondria technology is successful
Forensic lab scientists take the help of nucleus technology for DNA matching. A cell has a nucleus. However, the number of mitochondria or spindle cells in a cell is countless. These are small and membrane-bound organelles found inside eukaryotic cells. Which is also called the energy house or power house of the cell. The cells of the body that need energy the most have the highest number of mitochondria.
Also read- Yamuna Expressway accident: Four bodies handed over to relatives, nine dead identified through DNA
Also read- Yamuna Expressway accident: DNA match of 10 bodies, Mathura police will hand them over to relatives today
Also read- Yamuna Expressway accident: Scientists are close to identifying 15 bodies! Identification can happen in the next 24 hours
Also read- Horror of Yamuna Expressway accident: Teeth breaking like coal, becoming a challenge in DNA testing