The much talked aboutprofiling centre for defence personnel was finally inaugurated on Wednesday at Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) by Lt Gen H Kakaria, director general, Armed Forces Medical Services.
The centre that will be manned by trained experts from forensic science department, will help in creating a DNA data bank of soldiers and help in establishing identity of mutilated bodies of jawans and officers who go missing in action.
Speaking on the occasion, Kakaria said DNA profiling of about 1.13 million army personnel besides navy and air force officers would be conducted at the centre.
“At present, identity of dead army personnel is established by examining personal belongings, studying identification marks or comparing photographs. But in certain situations, bodies of jawans are mutilated beyond recognition or just a few body parts are found. Identifying the dead becomes a problem in such situations which is not just important for armed forces but brings solace to families as well,’’ he added.
At present, the centre built at cost of Rs2.5 crore, would create a DNA data bank of a sample population of 1,000-odd jawans. After its successful review, the centre would go on to complete database of remaining armed forces personnel.
Demonstrating how the technique works, Kakaria showed a blood spot card on which two drops of blood from each jawan is to be collected. The cards would be duly labeled and each battalion would send samples to the centre that would do DNA profiling and store information in their database.
Besides helping to identify dead or living soldiers, the DNA data bank can also help in identifying hereditary diseases by genetic testing. However, these facilities would be made available later, clarified officials.
The profiling centre was inaugurated on sidelines of the four-day 60th armed forced medical conference that began on Tuesday. This year’s conclave is special as it marks the golden jubilee year of armed forces medical research committee, set up to provide direction and research on subjects impacting health of soldiers.
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