Air India crash: Why DNA sampling is crucial
An Air India flight headed to London crashed shortly after taking off from Ahmedabad on Thursday, making it the worst air disaster India has seen in nearly 30 years.The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was carrying 242 passengers and crew when it went down around 1:38 pm, just after leaving Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Gujarat. The plane crashed into a dormitory at BJ Medical College in the busy Meghani Nagar area, right as medical students were sitting down for lunch.advertisementBecause the aircraft had just taken off, it was carrying over 1.25 lakh litres of fuel, the burning of which led to a massive fire, causing severe burns.
At Ahmedabad's Civil Hospital, over 200 families have given their DNA samples to match with the remains.More than 200 DNA samples have been collected to help identify the victims of the plane crash. Many of the bodies are badly burned and some are in pieces, making it impossible to recognise them without DNA tests. The testing is expected to take around 72 hours. Families travelled from different parts of India and even from the UK, hoping for answers.HOW DOES DNA SAMPLING HELP DURING AIR DISASTER?In the aftermath of an air disaster, identifying victims becomes a crucial yet challenging tas, especially when bodies are severely burned, fragmented, or unrecognisable. This is where DNA sampling plays a vital role.advertisementDNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the unique genetic code found in every human cell. It can be extracted from remains such as bone, teeth, or tissue, even in extreme conditions like high heat or explosions.
The DNA Sample Room at Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad. (Photo: Sanjay Kumar/India Today)
Forensic teams collect these samples from the crash site and match them with reference DNA provided by the victims' close family members or personal items like toothbrushes, combs, or old medical records.This process, known as DNA profiling, helps in the positive identification of victims, bringing clarity and closure to grieving families. It also supports official documentation and enables authorities to issue death certificates, which are essential for legal and insurance procedures.Moreover, DNA analysis can sometimes help reconstruct events, for instance, identifying where passengers were seated or whether certain injuries occurred before or after the crash. Though time-consuming and resource-intensive, DNA sampling is often the most reliable method for identification when visual recognition or fingerprinting is impossible. It plays a crucial humanitarian and legal role in the aftermath of aviation tragedies.Must Watch
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