TEST DETAILS FORENSIC DNA

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TEST DETAILS FORENSIC DNA

1. Forensic DNA Lab at AFIP addresses the requirement of scientifically evaluated DNA

evidence in military investigations only.

Laboratory’s DNA typing services cater for;

a. Criminal Casework

Identification of evidence to assist in the exoneration or conviction of a suspect

involved in a homicide, burglary, Physical or sexual assault or other criminal

activity

b. Identification of Missing Persons

The DNA lab has the capability to identify forensic DNA evidence from missing

person cases, unidentified remains, and victims of natural disasters and mass

casualty disasters.

c. Kinship testing

Kinship testing can establish (to a very high degree of probability) whether,

and how, two or more people are related.

d. Sample Identification

Matching donor DNA to a biological sample submitted for laboratory testing when

a patient’s clinical presentation does not match the laboratory results and resolve

sample-switch allegations.

2. Samples for Forensic DNA analysis are broadly;

a.

Reference Samples:

These are blood / buccal swab samples of

victims/suspects, known individuals related to a particular case that are

matched with the unknown/crime scene samples.

b.

Unknown/Crime Scene Samples:

These can be various items/objects from a

crime scene or human remains from a disaster sceneetc that can be sampled

to provide cellular material for DNA profiling/kinship analysis.

Reference samples can be collected by medical officer /pathologists as

well as trained crime scene investigators.

Crime scene samples are

collected by crime scene investigators only

3. The instructions for collection/packaging of reference samples & crime scene

evidence items are given in table attached as Anx

A.

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4. Turnaround time for the sample requests varies from case to case.

5. All cases received for Forensic DNA Analysis are routed through respective Fmn HQ.

Lab requests in case of high value targets or VVIPs are forwarded by the concerned

unit/ Bde to Med Dte for seeking necessary clearance from MI Dte. (Ref: GHQ Med

Dte Ltr no: 3519/54/DNA/DMS

– 5(b)- 7GX17 dated 9 Jul 2010). Such samples

received at FMSL remain preserved till clearance from MI Dte is received.

6. For collection of samples during investigation of crimes/ matters of security concerns,

investigating agencies need to involve Military Police. The samples so collected, are

submitted to FMSL by Military Police/Investigating Agency for DNA testing so as to

cover legal aspects pertaining to Military Law and Law of Pakistan.

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Tests Name Specimen Requirement Special instructions Reference Samples

Whole Blood* 2.5 ml blood in EDTA tube Refrigerate 2-4˚ C/ Do not freeze.

Buccal swab 2 × sterile swabs(collected by rubbing on inside surface of cheek 10-12 times)

Ensure individual has not taken any food or drink in previous 20 mins

Hair 15 -20 hair with roots (collected with clean tweezers/forceps)

Should be sent in paper envelope / beecham wrap

Crime Scene Samples

Small evidence items Collect as a whole Pack as such in a paper bag The items need to be fixed in place with in cardboard boxes with cable ties

Large/Immovable items Cut out stains with sterile scalpel Pack in a paper bag Items with smooth surface

(glass/metal) : use moistened sterile swab

Air dry before packaging

Biological fluids/stains Wet stains : sterile swabs Air dry and package in paper bag

Dry stains : Use moistened sterile swabs

Weapons / Tools As a whole in cardboard boxes fixed in place with cable ties

Ensure latent finger prints are taken prior to collection

Orifice swabs

(vaginal/oral/rectal) from victim

Four sterile swabs per orifice Collected by trained Medical officer, before genitals are washed post assault

Penile swabs

(Assailant/Male victim)

Collected by rubbing the outside of the penis with sterile swabs (This is different from collection of swabs fortesting for STDs.)

Collected by trained Medical officer, before genitals are washed post assault.

Contact swabs from victim’s body

(Bite marks etc.)

Slightly moistened sterile swabs from suspected area

Air dry before packaging

Fingernail clippings from victim

Moistened swabs for scraping the nails

Air dry before packaging Nail cuttings with clean nail

clipper

Collect as such in paper bags Garment / Bedding with

biological fluid stains

Clean paper placed on a bloodstained garment/ bedding and the garment/ bedding folded so that the paper prevents contact between different stains.

Wet stains : Dry the items ensuring that the stain pattern(s) are not altered or the stain(s) cross-contaminated with other wet stain(s).

Dry Stains : Package in paper bags for dispatch

Identification of Dead Bodies

Well preserved dead body A full thickness piece of skin, about 2x2cm ,from apparently clean part of the body

DONOT put the sample in formalin, normal saline, water or any preservative at any stage

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*Knowledge of a blood transfusion or bone marrow transplant should be relayed prior to the collection of a Reference/known blood sample.In these cases collect an alternate sample for DNA testing such as a buccal swab in addition to the blood.

All samples should be sealed and accompanied with chain of custody proforma DO NOT USE PLASTIC PACKAGING FOR BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE.

Blood sample from non-body cavity areas such as heart or major internal blood vessels in EDTA container.

Refrigerate 2-4˚ C/ Do not freeze

Charred body/ Fragmented remains

(Any of the samples listed in the next column can be taken)

15 – 20 pulled hair complete with roots. Do not send cut hair samples.

4-5 natural nails.

5-6 teeth with crown & roots having no restorations.

50-100 g of clean muscle tissue. Organ tissues e.g. Heart or brain. 2 inch fragment of long bone (avoid freshly broken ends)

DO NOT put the sample in formalin, normal saline, water or any preservative at any stage

Kinship testing

Parentage cases Buccal swab (preferred) or liquid blood (EDTA tube) sample from mother or alleged mother, father or alleged father, the child and if necessary, the product of conception (frozen with no preservatives)

Sibling ship analysis Buccal swab (preferred) or liquid blood (EDTA tube) sample from the individuals whose biological relationship needs to be

ascertained

Sample switch allegation  Reference sample ( 2.5 ml blood in EDTA tube) and

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TEST DETAILS TOXICOLOGY SECTION

Tests Name Specimen Req TAT

(Days)

Special instruction Drugs of Abuse/ Toxicology Screening

THC Urine / whole blood

(EDTA)/ Gastric Fluid

03 Sample should ideally be sealed and must be accompanied with chain of

custody proforma

Opiates Urine / whole blood

03 -do-

Amphetamine Urine / whole blood

03 -do-

Barbiturates Urine / whole blood

03 -do-

Benzodiazipine Urine / whole blood

03

-do-Cocaine Urine / whole blood

03 -do-

Phencyclidine Urine / whole blood

03

-do-TCA Urine / whole blood

03 -do-

Buprenorphine Urine / whole blood

03

-do-Nalbuphine Urine / whole blood

03

-do-MDMA Urine / whole blood

03 -do-

Methamphetamine Urine / whole blood

03

-do-Methadone Urine / whole blood

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Tramadol Urine / whole blood (EDTA)/ Gastric Fluid

03

-do-Propoxyphene Urine / whole blood

03 -do-

Fentanyl Urine / whole blood

03

-do-Benzoylecgonine Urine / whole blood

03

-do-Ketamine Urine / whole blood

(EDTA)

03 do-

LSD Urine / whole blood

(EDTA)

03

do-Methaqualone Urine / whole blood

(EDTA)

03 do-

Volatile drugs

Ethanol Urine/ whole blood

(EDTA)

04 Sample should ideally be sealed / must be covered

with liquid paraffin & accompanied with chain of

custody proforma.

Isopropanol Urine/ whole blood

(EDTA)

04

-do-Acetone Urine/ whole blood

(EDTA)

04 -do-

Methanol Urine/ whole blood

(EDTA)

04

-do-Gases

Carbon monoxide Whole blood (EDTA) 07 -

Hydrogen sulfide Stomach Content 06 -

Cyanides Whole blood (EDTA) 04

-General drugs

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-Salicylate Serum/ urine /gastric fluid

04

-Steroid Powder 04 -

Pesticides

Organophosphorus pesticides Gastric fluid 04 -

Carbamate pesticides Stomach content/ urine / serum

04

-Paraquat and diaquat Stomach content/ urine / Serum

04 -

Chlorinated Compounds Gastric Fluid 04

-Cholinesterase Fresh Serum/Plasma 04 -

Aluminum Zinc/Phosphide Gastric Fluid 04

-Toxic Metals / Trace Elements

Aluminium Serum 07 -

Arsenic Whole blood (EDTA) 07 -

Cadmium Whole blood (EDTA) 04 -

Chromium Whole blood (EDTA) 04

-Copper 24 hrs urine/ serum 06 -

Lead Whole blood (EDTA) 07

-Zinc Serum/ Urine 07 -

Mercury Whole blood (EDTA) 07 -

Magnesium Serum/ Urine 07 -

TDM

Carbamezapine Serum 03

-Cyclosporin Whole blood (EDTA) 03 -

Digoxin Serum 02

-Phenytion Serum 03 -

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Valproic Acid Serum 03

-Voriconazole Serum 07 -

Lithium Serum 01

-Methotrexate

Chemical Exam of Water Drinking water 03 -

Anions

Nitrate Urine/ gastric fluid 04 -

Nitrites Urine/ gastric fluid 04

-Chloride Urine/ gastric fluid 04 -

Bromide Urine/ gastric fluid 04

-Iodide Urine/ gastric fluid 04 -