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.
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.
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 Hair 2 sterile swabs(collected by rubbing on inside surface of cheek 10-12 times) 15-20 hair with roots (collected with clean tweezers/forceps) Ensure individual has not taken any food or drink in previous 20 mins 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 Air dry before packaging (glass/metal) : use moistened sterile swab Biological fluids/stains Wet stains : sterile swabs Air dry and package in paper Dry stains : Use moistened sterile swabs bag Weapons / Tools As a whole in cardboard boxes Ensure latent finger prints are Orifice swabs (vaginal/oral/rectal) from victim Penile swabs (Assailant/Male victim) Contact swabs from victim s body (Bite marks etc.) Fingernail clippings from victim Garment / Bedding with biological fluid stains Identification of Dead Bodies Well preserved dead body fixed in place with cable ties Four sterile swabs per orifice Collected by rubbing the outside of the penis with sterile swabs (This is different from collection of swabs fortesting for STDs.) Slightly moistened sterile swabs from suspected area Moistened swabs for scraping the nails Nail cuttings with clean nail clipper Clean paper placed on a bloodstained garment/ bedding and the garment/ bedding folded so that the paper prevents contact between different stains. A full thickness piece of skin, about 2x2cm,from apparently clean part of the body taken prior to collection Collected by trained Medical officer, before genitals are washed post assault Collected by trained Medical officer, before genitals are washed post assault. Air dry before packaging Air dry before packaging Collect as such in paper bags 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 DONOT put the sample in formalin, normal saline, water or any preservative at any stage
Charred body/ Fragmented remains (Any of the samples listed in the next column can be taken) Kinship testing Parentage cases Sibling ship analysis Sample switch allegation Blood sample from non-body cavity areas such as heart or major internal blood vessels in EDTA container. 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) 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) Buccal swab (preferred) or liquid blood (EDTA tube) sample from the individuals whose biological relationship needs to be ascertained Reference sample ( 2.5 ml blood in EDTA tube) and Query sample Refrigerate 2-4 C/ Do not freeze DO NOT put the sample in formalin, normal saline, water or any preservative at any stage *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.
TEST DETAILS TOXICOLOGY SECTION Tests Name Specimen Req TAT Special instruction (Days) Drugs of Abuse/ Toxicology Screening THC 03 Sample should ideally be sealed and must be accompanied with chain of custody proforma Opiates Amphetamine Barbiturates Benzodiazipine Cocaine Phencyclidine TCA Buprenorphine Nalbuphine MDMA Methamphetamine Methadone
Tramadol Propoxyphene Fentanyl Benzoylecgonine Ketamine LSD Methaqualone Ethanol Volatile drugs Urine/ whole blood 03 do- 03 do- 03 do- 04 Sample should ideally be sealed / must be covered with liquid paraffin & accompanied with chain of custody proforma. Isopropanol Acetone Methanol Urine/ whole blood Urine/ whole blood Urine/ whole blood Gases 04 -do- 04 -do- 04 -do- Carbon monoxide Whole blood 07 - Hydrogen sulfide Stomach Content 06 - Cyanides Whole blood 04 - General drugs Acetaminophen Plasma/ serum 02 -
Salicylate Serum/ urine /gastric fluid 04 - Steroid Powder 04 - Pesticides Organophosphorus pesticides Gastric fluid 04 - Carbamate pesticides Paraquat and diaquat Stomach content/ urine / serum Stomach content/ urine / Serum 04-04 - 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 07 - Cadmium Whole blood 04 - Chromium Whole blood 04 - Copper 24 hrs urine/ serum 06 - Lead Whole blood 07 - Zinc Serum/ Urine 07 - Mercury Whole blood 07 - Magnesium Serum/ Urine 07 - TDM Carbamezapine Serum 03 - Cyclosporin Whole blood 03 - Digoxin Serum 02 - Phenytion Serum 03 - Tacrolimus Whole blood 04 -
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 - Iron Urine/ gastric fluid 04 -