Since its establishment in November last year, the forensic science laboratory at Serbithang in Thimphu carried out DNA testing related to nearly 30 criminal cases within the country. The cases were of murder, rape, burglary and offence against Ku, Sung, Thukten, or Zung among others. The Police’s forensic team started working in the laboratory in December last year and since then, none of the DNA samples have been sent abroad unlike previous years. Sending DNA samples abroad used to cost millions.
Forensic Analyst Officer Commanding Tashi Phuntsho from the Police is conducting DNA tests on samples collected from suspects involved in an alleged offence against Ku, Sung, Thukten, or Zung in one of the Lhakhangs in Thimphu.
A DNA test is conducted to identify or eliminate suspects in a particular case.
Along with him, there is a technician, who acts as a witness, crosschecking the samples collected from the suspects.
The DNA testing process consists of four steps, each requiring a minimum of one to two hours to complete. So, it takes at least a day or two to complete DNA tests of suspects involved in a case.
For Thimphu’s alleged offence against Ku, Sung, Thukten, or Zung case, the police had collected buccal swabs from the inside of the cheek, from several suspects.
The forensic team then extracts DNA from the sample. To know the amount of DNA present in the sample, the quantification process is performed.
Following that, Officer Commanding Tashi Phuntsho performs DNA amplification which is carried out to produce multiple copies of the DNA.
Finally, the capillary electrophoresis process is carried out for sorting and analysing the DNA, which helps in identifying or eliminating the suspects.
The DNA testing is carried out using chemicals and advanced machines.
So far, the forensic team has carried out similar DNA tests for 29 other cases, and two are ongoing.
According to Officer Commanding Tashi Phuntsho, no DNA samples had been sent abroad for analysis since they began working in the laboratory.
More than 24,000 Pounds, which is over Nu 2.5 M, were spent to send DNA to the UK in the last five years.
The samples which were sent to India were analysed free of charge.
According to the forensic team, the result is as accurate as any other laboratories abroad.
While the forensic team strive to deliver faster service, challenges such as the inability to repair machines in the country and being short-staffed hinder their efforts.
Home Affairs Minister Tshering during the recent meet the press session, said that manpower shortage is not a major concern as of now.
“While talking with the Police, I learned that being short-staffed is not currently a pressing issue. The single analyst working in the laboratory has been performing well. However, if future situations require additional analysts, we plan to assign specialists to every police station.”
Although four police personnel received training in forensic science, only Officer Commanding Tashi Phuntsho is working in the lab. The other three have returned to their regular duties working in the police stations.
The laboratory was constructed spending over Nu 100 M which was funded by Austrian Development Cooperation.
Tashi Dekar
Edited by Tshering Zam
