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.

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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.

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SFDL recognizes bodies of Lasbela bus incident

SFDL recognizes
  • DNA analysis done within 48 hours after receiving.
  • Bodies accordingly handed over to the legal hires.
  • As per the ML examination bodies completely burned.

KARACHI:  Sindh Forensic DNA and Serology Laboratory (SFDL) at the Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD), University of Karachi, has successfully identified the dead bodies of the Lasbela bus incident through DNA analysis within 48 hours after receiving the samples.

Spokesman of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, University of Karachi, on Friday stated that all the bodies were accordingly handed over to the legal hires with the complete satisfaction of the families.

As per the medico-legal examination, bodies were completely burned, he said, adding that a total of 37 body samples and 32 references were submitted to the SFDL as several passengers belonged to the same family.

Following the direction of Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Director of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, and COMSTECH Coordinator-General, the forensic DNA team worked round the clock to make sure that bodies could be handed over at the earliest for last rites.

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2162 cases solved in DNA & Serology Lab at PCMD-UoK in 2022

2162 cases solved
  • Spokesman of ICCBS said that there was an upward trend in the number of cases.
  • Prof Iqbal Choudhary has expressed satisfaction over the quality of the work.
  • A total of 1,494 cases were received for serology analysis in last year.

KARACHI: Sindh Forensic DNA and Serology Laboratory (SFDL) at the Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular Medicine and Drug Research (PCMD), University of Karachi, announced that a total of 2162 cases for DNA and Serology analysis were received and solved in 2022.

In a statement, the spokesman of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS), University of Karachi, said that there was an upward trend in the number of cases as compared to the previous year (2021).

On the other hand, Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Director of the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences, and COMSTECH Coordinator-General has expressed satisfaction over the quality of the work in the Sindh Forensic DNA and Serology Laboratory (SFDL), and appreciated SFDL In-charge and Project Director Dr. Ishtiaq Ahmad Khan and his team for having smart teamwork at the SFDL. Prof. Iqbal Choudhary also thanked the Sindh Government for its continuous support and financial assistance.

According to the statistics, prepared by the SFDL, in the year 2022, a total of 1,494 cases were received for serology analysis, while all the cases were related to murder. Conversely, 668 cases were received for the forensic DNA test, which included dead body identification (53 cases), murder (111 cases), paternity (20 cases), robbery (37 cases), sexual assault (395 cases) and sodomy (52 cases).

Furthermore, the SFDL continued to contribute to the capacity building of relevant departments and arranged training for around 100 crime scene unit officers. It is worth mentioning that these trainings impacted positively the overall performances of these officers which lead to solving important cases.

 

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