Telangana factory blast: Forensics races against time to identify victims; teams working 24x7

Time of India

02-07-2025

HYDERABAD: With most victims charred beyond recognition in the devastating explosion at the Sigachi factory, the Telangana Forensic Science Laboratory (TGFSL) has taken on the crucial task of identifying the deceased through DNA profiling.
A team of around 10 forensic experts is working round-the-clock to match DNA samples of the victims with those of their relatives.
So far, 50 sets of samples have reached TGFSL-collected from both the remains and family members. "Our teams are working 24x7. Whatever samples we are receiving, we are processing immediately. In cases where we have both the victims' and family members' samples, identification will be faster.
The first set of results is expected within 24 hours," said TGFSL director Shikha Goel.
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However, she said delays may occur in cases where family members, especially those from outside Telangana, are yet to submit their samples. "We are still awaiting DNA samples from some families. The timeline will depend on how quickly those are made available."
Despite the challenges, Goel confirmed that the lab has sufficient materials and equipment to conduct DNA fingerprinting tests for all victims.
The first identifications are expected by Wednesday evening. Despite the extreme condition of the remains, TGFSL experts said DNA-based identification is progressing swiftly and with scientific precision.
Sangareddy district superintendent of police Paritosh Pankaj told TOI, "We have sent the samples to TGFSL. So far, 36 deaths have been confirmed. Eleven bodies have been identified, while 25 remain unidentified.
We are still tracing more remains."
The scale of burns and disfigurement has rendered standard identification methods ineffective, making forensic DNA testing the only reliable route. TGFSL is drawing from its experience in handling mass fatality cases.
In the 2013 bus tragedy in Mahbubnagar, where 45 people perished in a fire, then AP FSL successfully used DNA profiling to identify victims.
Hyderabad is also home to the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD), a national institute with an extensive history of working on complex disaster identifications. In 2014, CDFD played a key role in identifying 22 charred bodies from the Mangaluru air crash. The centre has contributed to high-profile cases, including identification of victims in Uttarakhand flash floods and missing persons in Punjab.
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