Tue, 21-Oct-2025

PNAC grants accreditation to ICCBS KU’s Forensic DNA Lab

PNAC

KARACHI: The Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC), under the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, has renewed and expanded the accreditation of the Sindh Forensic DNA and Serology Laboratory (SFDL), located within the Dr Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD) at the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of … Read more

SFDL-ICCBS solves 8000 DNA and Serology cases

SFDL-ICCBS

KARACHI: Sindh Forensic DNA and Serology Laboratory (SFDL), University of Karachi, has furnished high-quality reports of more than 8000 cases.

SFDL, established through the support of the Sindh Health Department, Government of Sindh, is the only ISO 17,025 certified laboratory in the country, offering comprehensive DNA and Serology services in Sind Province.

Prof Dr Farzana Shaheen, the Director of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, expressed these views while speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the one-day training on “Utility of Forensic DNA in Disaster Management and the Criminal Justice System” held in the Prof. Salimuzzaman Siddiqui Auditorium, ICCBS.

Prof. Farzana Shaheen welcomed the officials of the armed forces, Sindh Police, law enforcement and security departments, rescue services, medico-legal, and prosecution departments to the training session.

She said this specialized training is designed to provide participants with key strategies and effective tools. She noted that SFDL not only plays a vital role in routine DNA forensics but also actively engages in research in DNA forensics.

SFDL laboratory at the ICCBS is also providing capacity-building opportunities for the police, prosecution, and law enforcement agencies, she said.

Dr Summaiya Syed said that SFDL has played a pivotal role in solving the cases of sexual violence, especially, in the province. She pointed out that the conviction rate in Sindh province has increased from 4 to 15 percent after the establishment of SFDL at the ICCBS, University of Karachi.

She underlined the significance of the continuous training of all relevant actors of the Criminal Justice System in the Sindh province.

Dr Ishtiaq Ahmad, in the ceremony, gave a detailed presentation about the progress of the SFDL. He said the Sindh Forensic DNA and Serology Laboratory (SFDL) is committed to aligning itself with the latest advancements in the field of forensic DNA and these research initiatives are aiming to position it at the forefront in the field and ensure its competitiveness among other forensic labs globally.

[embedpost slug=”iccbs-director-be-appointed-as-per-ku-act-and-law-prof-atta”]

Read more

Privacy Alert: Hackers Target 23andMe, Exposing 6.9 Million Profiles

Privacy Alert: Hackers Target 23andMe, Exposing 6.9 Million Profiles

23andMe hit by a major data breach, impacting 6.9 million users. Cyber-criminals exploit old passwords, accessing personal details and family information. 23andMe responds: notifies users, enforces password changes, stresses cybersecurity importance. In a significant blow to the privacy and security of its users, genetic testing behemoth 23andMe has fallen victim to a large-scale data breach, … Read more

LHC converts death sentence to life-imprisonment for raping girl

LHC
  • A 2-member bench of LHC issued written decision on appeal.
  • Court upheld decision of trial court to impose a fine of Rs 300,000.
  • The benefit of doubt is given to the accused and converted sentence.

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court(LHC) has converted the death sentence to life imprisonment for raping an 11-month-old girl.

A 2-member bench headed by Justice Alia Neelam of Lahore High Court issued a written decision on the appeal of the criminal. According to which the court upheld the decision of the trial court to impose a fine of Rs 300,000.

The court remarked that it is a fact that the accused molested the infant girl and added that the parents cannot stake their daughter’s honor and future to falsely accuse someone.

The court, in its remarks, further held that the prosecution having proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, it would be too harsh to sentence the appellant to death.

The court has said in its decision that the sentence can be mitigated due to the negative DNA report and the age of the offender at the time of the crime. “We believe that there are mitigating circumstances in this case. The benefit of doubt is given to the accused, so the death sentence of the accused is ordered to be converted to life imprisonment”.

[embedpost slug=”ali-wazir-arrested-in-dera-ismail-khan”]

Read more

DNA training session for Police officials ended at SFDL

SFDL
  • 50 police officials participated in training session.
  • Officials given hands-on training at mock crime scenes.
  • Forensic DNA is an important modern-age tool.

KARACHI: A two-day DNA training session for police officials was concluded at the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi.

Sindh Forensic DNA and Serology Laboratory (SFDL) at the ICCBS, University of Karachi, organized the training session on August 9 to 10, in which 50 police officials, including 25  from Crime Scene Unit and 25 from the Police Investigation Department, participated. The officials were given hands-on training at the mock crime scenes.

Earlier, in the opening session, ICCBS Acting Director Prof. Dr. Farzana Shaheen welcomed the participants on behalf of Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Director of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, and COMSTECH Coordinator General.

Addressing the session, she discussed the technological advancement in the field of forensic DNA analysis. She said that this session was a part of the training program designed for various stakeholders separately, catering to their official needs.

SFDL In-charge and Project Director Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmad Khan, in the opening session, said that the discovery of deoxyribonucleic acid – more commonly known as DNA – was considered one of the most important discoveries of the 20th century.

Forensic DNA is an important modern-age tool which had gained much attention recently in most criminal and civil matters, he said, adding that It’s not only been used to solve countless crimes but exonerated people wrongly convicted, as well as solved several cold cases.

Training of the police officials is very important for proper collection of evidence which will help the dispensation of justice in its true spirit, he observed.

He also described the establishment of a state-of-the-art facility for forensic DNA analysis, which is developed according to international standards containing qualified and trained staff and highly advanced technology.

The participants of the training session also paid a visit to Sindh Forensic DNA and Serology Laboratory.

[embedpost slug=”court-dismissed-plea-seeking-physical-remand-of-rizwana-torture-case-suspect”]

Read more

Recent winners of the Nobel Chemistry Prize

Nobel Chemistry Prize

The winners of the Nobel Chemistry Prize for 2022 will be announced Wednesday. Previous winners include inventors of the gene-editing method CRISPR-Cas9 and cryo-electron microscopy. The prize was awarded in 2012 for research into how cells repair damaged DNA. Here is a list of the recipients of the Nobel Chemistry Prize throughout the past decade, … Read more

Stem cell breakthrough

Stem cell breakthrough

Stem cells can turn into entire animals. This “elixir of life” has enabled scientists to analyze species. Tsinghua University scientists created a cocktail. Stem cell can turn into entire animals due to a drug combination. A mix of drugs that can make stem cells grow into whole animals. This “elixir of life” has enabled scientists … Read more

California police identify suspect in cold case

california

A suspect has been identified in a murder case in California that has been unresolved since 1988. At a news conference Tuesday, Sacramento County District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert and Galt Police Chief Brian Kalinowski named Terry Bramble as a suspect in the murder of 79-year-old Lucille Hultgren, according to Fox 40 of Sacramento. Terry … Read more

Megan Fox discusses her ‘guilt’ over being separated from her children: ‘I cry every new moon’

Guilt

As a mother who is separated from her children, Megan Fox feels a void in her heart. The actress revealed to Glamour U.K. for their April issue that divorce has been difficult on her as a mother because she now only has so much time with her children. “I travel for long periods of time, … Read more

Has the ‘post-American era’ arrived?

america and china

For decades, the United States of America dominated the world; politically, diplomatically, economically, culturally and scientifically. America’s influence was unmatched in every way possible. It was called the most powerful nation since Imperial Rome. One that was stronger than any likely combination of other nations. The world’s tallest buildings were in the US, the world’s … Read more

20 signs that make you a true Karachiite

Karachi

1.You spend half your life stuck in traffic You cannot call yourself a true Karachiite if you haven’t spent a quarter of your life stuck in traffic at Korangi and Shahrah-e-Faisal. The things we could do, the places where we could reach, if we didn’t age twenty years at Sharah-e-Faisal road. Good luck getting gas … Read more

Prime suspect reveals the third name in motorway case

Motorway Rape Case

According to the details, the prime suspect Shafqat has named a third person during police interrogations. Sources further revealed that the third person, named Bala Mistri called the main suspects Abid Ali and Shafqat to Lahore. Shafqat told police that all three gathered in Shahdara where they ate Dahi Baray. The suspect further told police … Read more

Serving family of PK 8303 passengers is our first priority: CEO PIA

PIA CEO

PIA CEO Air Marshal Arshad Malik says that Eids will continue to come but serving the family is the first priority, we want to do our part in this difficult time. Regarding the victims of the plane crash, Arshad Malik said that the dead bodies of 14 martyrs have been handed over to their families … Read more

Governor Sindh refrains from making statements without information: Sindh Health Minister

Azra Pechuho

Sindh Health Minister Azra Fazal Pechuho has criticized the Governor of Sindh and asked him to refrain from making such statements without any information. According to details, responding to Sindh Governor’s statement regarding DNA, Provincial Health Minister Azra Fazal Pechuho said that Governor Sindh should refrain from making such statements without information. Azra Pechuho said … Read more

American scientists introduced a new technology ‘genetic word processor’

US scientists develop genetic word processor technology

The scientists from United States (US) have developed a new technology “genetic word processor” similar to DNA, sources said on Wednesday. This technology enables to accurately re-write the genetic code as well as it is a new way of editing the code of life which could correct 89% of the errors in DNA that cause … Read more