Air India plane crash: DNA samples of 215 victims match, 198 bodies handed over

Nearly a week after the tragic Air India plane crash that claimed 270 lives, forensic experts have successfully matched 215 DNA samples. Authorities have so far handed over the mortal remains of 198 victims to their families. Among them are 149 Indians, 32 British citizens, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian citizen.

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Discussing the challenges of identifying severely burnt remains — particularly those of children — experts said the process is especially difficult when a child’s molars have not yet developed and the body has suffered extensive burns.

Speaking to The Tribune, Dr Ashith B Acharya, Professor and Head of the Department of Forensic Odontology at SDM College of Dental Sciences and Hospital, explained:

“We can use any tooth of a child or adult to identify a burnt body, provided we have some form of dental record. Such records may have been prepared and stored by a treating dentist — these could include handwritten notes, dental X-rays, or dental models. Even photographs taken during social occasions, where the person’s teeth are clearly visible, can be useful in identifying a charred body.”

Former director of the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology Rakesh Mishra said even in cases involving children, forensic experts are usually able to find viable samples for DNA matching.

“In a healthy person, a simple blood sample is enough. But in a charred body, the process becomes more complex. However, experts are trained for this. Even in such cases, some part of the body — bone or tissue — often remains intact and can be used for DNA extraction,” Mishra said.

The Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, has been tasked with identifying the victims. FSL Director HP Sanghvi said: “It is crucial to identify the right part of the body for DNA sampling. Forensic experts assist in determining the optimal locations on the deceased from which DNA can be extracted, and also guide the process of collecting reference samples from their relatives.” As many as 36 experts from the FSL, along with experts from National Forensic Science University, are working on the DNA profiling.