A novel effort unifying forces with the Delhi Police and AIIMS to prevent the incidence of rape was revealed on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. The consciousness programme has been unveiled to showcase the function of common people and the use of DNA forensics in facilitating India’s criminal justice system in sexual offense and rape cases.
At the Launch of the drive Nishtha Satyam, Deputy Country Representative, UN Women India, observed, “DNA is your unique identity that is present in every part of your body. In your nails, blood, skin, sweat and even in your spit. It’s impossible that in a rape case a rapist does not leave his DNA behind. We need to save the evidence and demand for DNA testing. We must generate awareness about this topic, because DNA is the biggest weapon against this brutal crime.”
One of the greatest difficulties a rape survivor encounters, is in proving the crime while depending on ocular proof in court, when in actuality, most frequently there are no eyewitnesses in such a case. The campaign brings to the surface the importance of gathering and preserving offender DNA, i.e. bodily fluids or skin or nails or hair from the site of the crime and from the survivor, as it is the most conclusive proof that can result in a conviction. Thereby removing the dependence on ocular proof. But DNA proof must not be destroyed, it must be saved.
Dr. Pinky Anand, Additional Solicitor General India, remarked, “Considering the importance of DNA evidence that is conclusive, the Government too, has introduced the DNA bill. The matter still lies with the standing committee for discussion. We are also looking to make a national offender database with the help of which a serial rapist can be identified and brought to justice quickly. Over the last two years, owing to the increased awareness levels on this subject, DNA crime testing has doubled. We must take care of two things, preserve the evidence in a rape case. And second, demand for DNA testing. And if we can do this, we will be able to make this city, this country, a safe place for our women and children.”
As per specialists, providing people with better knowledge on preserving DNA proof can make the way to justice delivery comparatively easier for rape survivors. The power of DNA is bound to put the fear of law in the minds of the offender.
Suman Nalwa, DCP, Delhi Police, commented, “Should this untoward incident happen with you, you are bound to be afraid, uncertain and insecure because we never think that we are vulnerable but sometimes bad things do happen. However, don’t feel ashamed. You haven’t committed the crime, the rapist is the criminal, and he’s the one to be put to shame. As a victim, as a first responder, as a concerned citizen, it is our responsibility to know more about DNA evidence and how to safely preserve the evidence to help the investigation so that the rapist is caught and can never ever commit this crime.”
Dr Sudhir K Gupta, Head, Department of Forensic Medicine, AIIMS, New Delhi revealed, “We are presently working on establishing the first of its kind one-stop sexual assault examination, care, and research centre. There is a dire need for educating and training first-line responders across the country on proper collection & handling of DNA samples while at the same time creating dedicated infrastructure to attend to rape survivors. The lack of proper facilities at hospitals has a direct correlation with the quality of DNA evidence collected from rape survivors. The results for the vaginal swabs and semen samples can be analysed quickly to help catch the culprit but currently, 80-90% of samples do not yield viable results because they are not collected and stored properly.”
The event also witnessed Suman Nalwa, DCP, Delhi Police who is also the Principal, Delhi Police Training School release the cover of a training manual being exclusively designed for police investigators. “I congratulate Ogilvy for taking on the responsibility of creating an abridged, illustrative forensic DNA field training manual based on the Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines on the use of biological evidence in crime scene investigation. This simplified manual will facilitate ease of reference for our investigators and serve as a ready reckoner for everyone in the force,” she said while unveiling the cover.
As stated by GTH-GA, Forensic DNA has come up as the most dependable crime-fighting expertise the globe over. A number of nations are fruitfully utilizing forensic labs and protocols to gather, examine and contrast DNA at crime sites with that of suspects with encouraging results. Where law machinery globe over is growingly depending on DNA forensics to solve crime, the speed in India has been slow. Scarcity of scientific techniques in investigations and absence of a correct policy framework in the nation persist to obstruct justice.
About GTH-GA
Gordon Thomas Honeywell Governmental Affairs is a universally acknowledged public affairs consultancy firm that has techniques with forensic DNA database policy, legislative, and law. For almost twenty years, consultants at GTH-GA have consulted in over 50 nations and states on legislation and policies to establish or spread criminal offender DNA databases. GTH-GA associates closely with governmental officials, crime labs, police and the DNA industry. GTH-GA runs the DNAResource.com website that has been utilized as the globe's primary source for DNA database policy and legislative information since 2000.
By ANJISHNU BISWAS |
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