HYDERABAD: A seminar with theme DNA Typing: Role of Judiciary and Investigating Agencies was held Saturday at Liaquat University of Medical & Health Sciences Jamshoro. Vice Chancellor LUMHS Prof. Noshad A. Shaikh said establishment of DNA laboratory in the university was initiated by Mr. Justice Ameer Muslim Hani at seminar held on the subject at LUMHS in year 2010. The first DNA Lab in Sindh was inaugurated at LUMHS in year 2015. He said judicious application of forensic science early in investigation can lead to the development of investigative information that can save money, time, and resources for investigating agencies. The whole investigative process can be shortened by such analysis on the direction of an investigation, providing information that can be used to enhance conventional interrogative strategies and limiting contesting of evidence in court. In many instances, trials are shortened, further saving resources that can instead be deployed elsewhere, both for police and justice system. IG Police Sindh A D Khawaja stressed that most important aspect of investigating crime is to probe from scene of crime to the accused but it is opposite as investigation starts from accused to scene of crime. DNA samples are very important to investigate crime; even a sample of human sweat, piece of tissue paper or a cigarrate used by accused can be helpful for identification. He felt like modern world “we should have latest techniques used in DNA analysis which can help investigating agencies and judiciary to provide early justice.” Justice Ameer Muslim Hani, judge of Supreme Court emphasized that provision of justice to the community should be top priority of the Government. Those working in investigating agencies and doctors at Medico legal section should be technically sound to provide proper investigating report and evidence to judiciary so that justice can prevail. He felt it was matter of concern that it took five years for authentication of Forensic Department of LUMHS by authorities to establish DNA Lab at LUMHS. Earlier, Dr. Manzoor Hussain In charge Forensic DNA Lab, CAMB Punjab delivered his presentation on “Modern Trends in Forensic DNA, Sanaullah Abbasi Additional IG CTD Sindh briefed on Police Experience of Forensic DNA. Preservation & Dispatch of Biological Samples was discussed by Dr. Akbar Kazi, Chairman Department of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology LUMHS. The Seminar was also attended by Justice Ahmad Ali M. Sheikh Senior Judge, High Court of Sindh & Riaz Hussain Soomro Home Secretary Sindh.
