Latest news with #ForensicMedicineDepartment
Arab Times
21-07-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
This technology could change forensics forever — and Kuwait is leading the charge
KUWAIT CITY, July 21: Brigadier Abdul Rahim Mohammed Al‑Awadhi, Director of the Forensic Medicine Department at the General Department of Criminal Evidence (GDCE), affirmed in an interview with Al‑Anba the department's pivotal contribution to criminal investigations through precise scientific analysis. Brig. Al‑Awadhi underscored the department's decisive involvement in major criminal cases solved within record time, including the Imam Al‑Sadiq Mosque bombing, the Hawally 'monster' case involving approximately 18 child rape offenses, and the Jahra wedding tent fire that tragically claimed around 57 lives. He detailed the department's methodical approach: examining the crime scene, transporting the body to the morgue for a thorough autopsy, followed by a comprehensive medical report that scientifically clarifies the cause of death. These findings are coordinated with investigative authorities to inform legal proceedings. Highlighting future enhancements, Brig. Al‑Awadhi announced ongoing efforts to align Kuwait's forensic sciences with international standards. A key initiative includes plans to introduce a virtual autopsy—or "virtopsy"—utilizing advanced imaging like CT and MRI scans to examine bodies without surgical dissection, a non‑invasive alternative being adopted in other countries. He revealed that the department is on the verge of earning multiple international quality certifications—ISO 9001:2015 for quality management and ISO 13485:2016 for medical device standards—underscoring its commitment to meeting rigorous global benchmarks in forensic service delivery and equipment handling. The Forensic Medicine Department comprises several specialized divisions: Living Examination Department: Assesses and documents injuries in cases of assault.n Mortality Examination Department: Determines causes of death, analyzes toxins and injuries.n Pathology or Tissue Examination Department: Investigates tissue-level alterations to ascertain cause of death.n Specialized Clinics Department: Includes radiology, ophthalmology, and dentistry specialists.n Follow-up and Coordination Department: Manages administrative workflows and inter-departmental communication.n Brig. Al‑Awadhi outlined that forensic reports guide criminal investigations by accurately determining critical elements such as time and cause of death, injury patterns, links to crime scenes, and suspect identification—all based on scientific data. He further explained that the GDCE's forensic system can be mobilized for complex cases involving fires or advanced decomposition. In such instances, a multidiscipline task force applies strict protocols and coordinated analysis to deliver prompt and reliable results. Recognizing challenges such as caseload pressure, the need for precision, and confidentiality, the department has established a Quality Control Department and a Coordination Unit. It has also introduced a secure G2G messaging system to transmit forensic reports electronically and discreetly, reducing reliance on paper-based procedures. In support of digital transformation, the department is integrating services with the Ministry of Interior's 'Sahel' application. Upcoming features will allow citizens and residents to receive notifications relating to civil and medical legal processes—including appointment scheduling and case status—enhancing transparency and procedural efficiency. The department is evaluating adoption of virtopsy technology—a forensic imaging system that uses CT and MRI to simulate autopsy findings without dissection. This method has gained traction internationally due to its ability to preserve the integrity of the body and facilitate faster, non-invasive investigations—especially relevant in settings with cultural sensitivities regarding autopsies Brig. Al‑Awadhi also praised the leadership of Sheikh Fahad Al‑Yousef, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, for championing modernization of the forensic sector. He emphasized that Sheikh Al‑Yousef's support is central to the department's development — providing the latest crime detection technologies, promoting continuous professional training, and fostering integration with other Ministry sectors to ensure rapid, transparent justice. Through these efforts, Kuwait's Forensic Medicine Department is advancing toward international leadership in forensic science — enhancing its role as a crucial pillar in both the security and judicial systems.
Hindustan Times
11-07-2025
- Hindustan Times
Ahmedabad crash: A month on, grieving families try to pick up shattered lives
As Ahmedabad marks one month since the devastating air crash, the city's Civil Hospital on July 8 organised the last rites for some additional body parts of 19 victims retrieved from the debris left in the wake of the Air India flight 171 crash on June 12. Rescue officials work at the site where Air India flight 171 crashed in a residential area near the airport in Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025.(File/AFP) Ahmedabad Civil Hospital medical superintendent Rakesh Joshi said seven other families had opted to hold private ceremonies for their loved ones. But 19 families consented to hospital-conducted last rites when officials reached out to them to inform them about the retrieval of some more body parts of their family member. 'They had already said their final goodbyes once. To go through that agony again, to light the pyre or lower the body into the grave for the second time - it was too much for them to endure,' an official familiar with the matter said. Eighteen Hindu victims were cremated at Vadaj crematorium, and their ashes were immersed at Naran Ghat on the Sabarmati River. One Muslim victim was buried at Musa Suhag Cemetery in Shahibaug, with Quranic recitations led by a Maulvi. Hospital staff, including the superintendent and head of the Forensic Medicine Department, oversaw the ceremonies along with police officials. Also read: AAIB's preliminary report on Air India crash 'very soon': Civil Aviation Minister Naidu The government had decided to use DNA tests to identify the body parts soon after the crash, given how the bodies were charred when the plane blew up into a ball of fire after crashing into the hostel complex for medical students. The crash killed 241 of the 242 passengers and crew apart from 19 more on the ground. Among those killed beneath were junior doctors, hospital staff at the medical college complex, and people on the street below. Four of the 19 ground casualties died during treatment at the hospital; the rest had died on impact at the crash site. The plane had departed from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1:38 p.m., carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members for London Gatwick Airport. Also read: One Mayday alert, focus on fuel control switches: What is known so far about Air India crash The aircraft reached a little over 600 feet before losing altitude. The flight crew issued a mayday call, said an official of Airport Authority of India. Seconds later, the plane crashed into the hostel block of B.J. Medical College, causing multiple explosions. The crash killed 169 Indian nationals, 53 British nationals, seven Portuguese nationals, and one Canadian national. Among the passengers was a family from Gujarat's Porbandar. Mukesh Modha, 64, said he lost three family members who were on their way to London to perform the last rites of his brother, who recently died due to cancer. His brother's wife Rakshaben Modha, 55, her daughter-in-law Yesha Kamdar, 31, and Yesha's 1.5-year-old son were among the victims. 'My brother had set up a successful catering business in London and his prayer meeting was to be held in the third week of June. My nephew Kishen Modha had decided to go on (June 12) but later cancelled his plans as he had some business to attend to in Ahmedabad. So he decided to go a few days later before the prayer meeting of his father,' Mukesh Modha said. The last-minute change of plans saved Kishen Modha's life. Mukesh Modha recalled speaking to his sister-in-law at around 10.30 am on June 12, hours before they boarded their flight. 'Later in the afternoon, I got a call about the incident,' he said. The crash also left deep scars for BJ Medical College, where the plane struck. Some 150 students and resident doctors are now in alternative accommodation, said Dr Minaxi Parikh, dean of BJ Medical College. 'We have made alternative arrangements for the students and resident doctors in other blocks on the campus and have also taken some rooms on rent in a nearby hostel. In all, we have relocated 150 students and doctors. The hostel blocks of the UG students are mostly intact, but their mess has been destroyed. We have got a new place for the mess workers,' said Minaxi Parikh, dean of BJ Medical College. She said that the impacted areas were still under the control of the investigators and the plans to decide on the buildings to be rebuilt can be worked out only after they get back possession. To be sure, the debris has been moved from the crash site to a place near GUJSAIL near the Ahmedabad airport.
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Time of India
Udupi: Man held for killing mother over money, family dispute; forensic report points to strangulation
UDUPI: The Manipal police have arrested a man on charges of murdering his mother. The accused has been identified as Esha Naik, 26. According to the police, complainant Shilpa reported that her sister, Padmabai, 45, who was living with her son and daughter-in-law, had been suffering from back pain and was receiving treatment at the Udupi District Government Hospital. On the night of June 18, around 9 pm, when Shilpa spoke to Padmabai, she mentioned that she was experiencing back pain and was unable to get up. Another sister, Meera Bai, asked Padmabai to come to Malpe the next day, where she would arrange a consultation with another doctor. Padmabai replied that she did not have any money, to which Meera Bai assured her that she would cover the expenses, and Padmabai agreed to come. At around 9.24 pm, Padmabai's son, Esha Naik, called Shilpa and asked her to send Rs 1,000 via PhonePe, saying that his mother was unwell and he needed to take her to the hospital. Shilpa agreed, but due to a failure in the PhonePe transaction, the money was not sent. The next day, at 8.40 am, Esha called again and told Shilpa that his mother was not waking up and was lying still in bed. Family members rushed to Padmabai's house, arranged for an ambulance, and took her to the District Ajjarkad Hospital in Udupi. There, doctors examined her and declared her dead. It was observed that there was redness around Padmabai's neck, suggesting pressure or strangulation. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Based on the complaint raising suspicions about the cause of death, a case was registered at the Manipal Police Station. A post-mortem examination was conducted by the Forensic Medicine Department of Kasturba Hospital. After the examination, the body was handed over for final rites. Udupi SP Hariram Shankar stated that doctors from the Forensic Medicine Department of KMC Hospital, Manipal, issued a preliminary opinion on Saturday, stating that Padmabai was murdered with malicious intent between 9.22pm on June 18 and 9.45am the next day. Accordingly, a murder case was registered at the Manipal Police Station. Further investigation revealed that her son, Esha Naik, allegedly killed her over financial issues and family disputes.
Indian Express
18-06-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Air India plane crash: Molars not developed, identifying minors a challenge
The Nanabawa family of Surat had just completed the namaz-e-janaza (funeral prayers) of Akeel, 36, and wife Hannaa Vorajee, 31, when they received a call early Wednesday morning that the body of their daughter Sara, who had died with them in the Boeing Dreamliner crash, had been identified. The relatives rushed to Ahmedabad to claim the four-year-old's remains so that she could be buried beside her parents. Nearly a week after the Ahmedabad-London AI-171 flight crashed, the search for Sara reflects the difficulty in identifying minors among the badly charred remains. Till Wednesday, 159 bodies had been handed over to relatives after DNA matching and identification. Apart from Sara, only one other minor was among those bodies — Fatima Shethwala, who was 18 months old. AI-171 had 13 children under the age of 12, as per the airline manifest, including three who had not yet turned 2. Several others were between the ages of 11 and 18. Explaining the difficulty in using DNA technology to identify minor victims in such a disaster, Dr Jayasankar Pillai, a forensic odontologist with Government Dental College, Gujarat, said: 'In children, the body mass is less and so the tissue damage and the exposure of long bones to heat is more. Teeth, though, can withstand heat as they are more robust.' In the case of minors, however, this too is complicated. 'DNA can be extracted from any tooth in children, but the front teeth cannot be used as heat degrades them in case of fire accidents. So we take DNA from molars. In children aged less than six years, we can't get a permanent molar… They mostly have milk teeth, and sometimes even those are destroyed as the arch is very small. So we make an incision in the jaw and try to get the permanent molar developing inside,' said Pillai, whose department was approached by the Forensic Medicine Department to help extract dental DNA and compile dental charting of victims. A forensic official said the fire that broke out after the crash would have reached temperatures of over 1600 degrees F in a very short period. 'So, only partial DNA profiles are available for some, whom we suspect are minors,' the official said, adding that matching these to that of relatives with 'undoubted accuracy' is difficult. The Nanabawa family received the bodies of Akeel and Hannaa — who were British nationals based in Gloucester — a day before Sara's remains were identified. Akeel's father Abdulla recalled that the three had arrived on June 6, a day before Eid al-Adha, on a surprise visit. 'It was a short trip… We did know this would be their last,' sobbed Abdulla, who had gone to Ahmedabad to drop the family for the flight. In Vadodara, Asif Shethwala mourned his granddaughter Fatima, the toddler whose remains were identified Wednesday, while her mother Sadiqa's body is yet to be found. Asif said Fatima was his London-based son's only child. 'Sadiqa and Fatima were visiting for my younger son's wedding. They were here for about 20 days and their return tickets were booked well in advance.' With his son in Ahmedabad to collect Fatima's body, Asif hoped they would find Sadiqa's too. 'They will try to bring home both together. If not, they will return tonight and we will lay Fatima to rest.' Apart from yielding DNA, dental remains also help determine the approximate age of a person, providing essential clues to identification. This has been vital in the Ahmedabad crash as, even for adults, the explosion and fire meant much of the DNA recovered was degraded. Dr Pillai said the Forensic Odontology Department had extracted dental DNA or done dental charting for at least some victims between one and three years of age. This was then compared with the flight manifest for passengers in that age group. 'That helped narrow down the search. Their DNA samples could then be matched with those of their relatives.' Among those waiting for news is the Vahora family in Vadodara. They lost three members in the crash. While Yasmin's body was handed over on Monday, the remains of Pervez and his daughter Zuveriya, 4, are yet to be found. A close friend said: 'The family needs closure to come to terms with the loss.' A former IPS officer and forensic expert, Dr Keshav Kumar, said the families should not lose hope. 'The air crash was almost like a bomb blast, with 54,000 litres of aviation fuel burning for over an hour. The amount of heat generated is damaging for the body… We would be lucky to get good samples… But if even a tooth has been found, there are chances of getting DNA… Forensics is like finding a needle in a haystack. But as an investigator, I can say that the chances of getting a match are 100%… DNA can survive thousands of years and the wreckage site will hold more traces of DNA if needed.' A senior Gujarat Police officer said they ensured collection of multiple samples from the crash site. 'Since so many agencies are involved in the investigations, the recovery of components of the aircraft was done on priority after retrieving as many bodies as possible. The forensic teams collected as many exhibits as possible for DNA sampling. Teams of the Gujarat Police, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and disaster rescue forces continue to check for any human remains or important leads that could help identify passengers.' —With inputs by Kamal Saiyed in Surat
Arab Times
15-06-2025
- Arab Times
Asian man jumps to his death from building top
KUWAIT CITY, June 15: An Asian man committed suicide by jumping from the top of a building in Ahmadi Governorate. His body was referred to the Forensic Medicine Department in the Interior Ministry. According to a security source, the Operations Unit at the ministry received information about an Asian who jumped from a building in Ahmadi Governorate. Police officers and an ambulance rushed to the location, where they discovered that the Asian man already succumbed to his injuries. A case was registered and investigations are ongoing to establish the circumstances that prompted the Asian to end his own life.
