Experts from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the USA on Sunday finished setting up a software called the Combined DNA Index System (Codis) in the DMCH DNA Laboratory
The relatives of those who went missing after the Savar Rana Plaza tragedy have been waiting for nearly six months to know what has actually happened to their loved ones.
Out of the 1,115 bodies pulled from under the rubble of the collapse, 234 that could not be immediately unidentified mainly because they had decomposed beyond recognition, were buried to the Jurain Graveyard in the capital.
The authorities, before burying the bodies, kept DNA samples from each of the bodies so that they could be later identified; but did not have the necessary apparatus to do the tests.
Apart from these 234, the rescuers could not find any trace of 87 other people who were reportedly inside the building when it collapsed.
Finally, the ill-fated relatives can now see a ray of hope at the end of the tunnel as the National DNA Laboratory of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital sets up the software needed for doing the DNA tests.
Experts from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) of the USA on Sunday finished setting up a software called the Combined DNA Index System (Codis) in the DMCH DNA Laboratory.
The Codis will be used to match the DNA profiles of those who had been buried at the Jurain Graveyard with the samples collected from the relatives of those when have been missing.
The FBI has supplied the advanced computer programme completely free of cost, which would have otherwise cost Bangladesh government more than Tk10m.
The team of FBI experts finished installing the software on Sunday morning and subsequently started a four-day technical training programme for the 12 scientific officers who work at the DNA laboratory.
The laboratory is expected to start the process of matching a total of 321 DNA profiles on Thursday following a visit by US Ambassador to Bangladesh Dan W Mozena.
“Hopefully, we will be able to know the results of the DNA profile matching in two to three weeks,” said Dr Sharif Akteruzzaman, chief of the DMCH laboratory.
Some 550 people, who said their relatives had been missing since the tragedy, have so far provided DNA samples.
At present only 68 laboratories in 34 countries use the advanced Codis software. After Singapore, Hong Kong and South Korea, Bangladesh is the fourth country to whom the FBI has given the software free of cost.
Generally, preparing a DNA profile from blood samples takes about seven to eight days. The process takes a little bit longer if the profile is to be made from bone samples.
The nine-storied Rana Plaza, that housed five garment factories, came down on April 24 with thousands trapped inside.
Sunday 22 September 2013
http://www.dhakatribune.com/law-amp-rights/2013/sep/23/identities-rana-plaza-victims-dna-test-results-expected-3-weeks
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