Know How DNA Profiling Helped In Conviction Of Accused In 2 Murder Cases In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Effective use of forensic science by Bhubaneswar police reently helped in conviction of accused in two separate murder cases in the Odisha capital.

The District Forensic Science Laboratory (DFSL) used DNA probe to establish the evidence based on which the murder cases ended in conviction.

On April 24, 2022, Chandrasekhapur police arrested an AC mechanic Rabi Sethi allegedly for killing his wife Gayatri and sister-in-law Saraswati. The incident took place in Chandrasekharpur. Sethi had hidden their bodies after killing them with an axe over a personal dispute.

As the bodies were recovered in a decomposed state, the forensic team collected blood samples of the sisters using saline extract method. Likewise, as the accused had washed his hands, chemicals like benjidine were used to find traces of blood in his fingernails and hands. The blood found in his nails matched with the blood of the deceased and served as evidence against the accused, the TOI reported.

On April 27, Sukanta was convicted and was given a life sentence.

Also Read: Man Handed Life Term For Killing Wife & Sister-In-Law In Bhubaneswar

In another case, on June 25, 2021, Jatni police arrested one Sukanta Mallik in connection with the murder of his wife. There were no eyewitnesses in the case as the murder took place inside the house. Bhubaneswar DFSL’s scientific officer Sushree Sabinaya and her team collected blood from Mallik’s nails. The blood samples were sent to State Forensic Science Laboratory (SFSL) for DNA profiling. The blood on the knife and nails of Mallik matched with that of Sushree. The Finger Print Bureau also found that the fingerprints on the knife were that of Mallik.

To provide quality forensic service for probe of vital cases, plans are on to enhance the capacity of Bhubaneswar DFSL in terms of human resources and modern equipment, Additional Commissioner of Police Sarat Kumar Sahu told TNIE.