The 2-day conference, “DNA 2010- The Science of DNA Fingerprinting in Crime Investigation” from 29th October to 30th October, 2010 at IETE Auditorium, Osmania University, Hyderabad was organized by ioAxis DNA Research Centre, Tarnaka, Secunderabad. BioAxis DNA Research centre operates from Hyderabad and has alaboratory at Gomati nagar in Lucknow. The conference opened traditionally with lighting the lamp by the dignitaries present at the function. Prominent personalities present at the inauguration were Dr. Lalji Singh, former director of CCMB and Bhatnagar Fellow 2009, Dr Amit Kumar CEO, BioAxis DNA Research Centre, Mr. O.N.Murty, Director, APFSL, Dr. Pradeep Srivastav (CDRI), Dr. G.K. Goswami (IPS,Lucknow), Mr. Rahul Patel (Bode Tech, USA) and others. Dr. Shakuntala Bulusu (Research Head, BDRC) welcomed the guests and Dr. Sabiha Khan (Conference Secretary, BDRC) spoke about the events that lead to the organization of the conference. Dr. Amit Kumar, Director and CEO, BDRC spoke about the need for DNA forensics in crime and explained how DNA gained recognition as clinching and decisive evidence. On a global scale, the availability of this technique and its refinement to a stage where it would become foolproof could act as a deterrent to certain kinds of crimes, he said. At the end he expressed a strong wish that his organization, the BioAxis DNA Research Centre will work on its mission towards making this science useful to common man and bring about awareness in the society for its responsible use. Dr. Lalji Singh acted as Chief Guest of the inaugural and delivered a Keynote address on “Genetic diversity in Indian populations and its health implications”. In his lecture he highlighted the genetic variability across the Indian subcontinent and also explained that many groups in modern India descend from a small number of founding individuals, which have since been genetically isolated from other groups for thousands of years, the fact which has medical implications for Indian populations. He also spoke briefly about his brainchild, the Genome Foundation, and explained its activities. The event was the second conference of the DNA series organized by BioAxis DNA Research Centre, following the great success of DNA2009 and attracted the audience not only from India but also from USA, Iran, and Dubai etc. In all, 61 DSPs and 25 Senior Inspectors of police from Andhra Pradesh Police Department attended this conference, in addition to over 120 student participants from various academic institutions. Eminent speakers from the field of forensics delivered their interesting lectures on the first day of the conference. Dr Pradeep Kumar Srivastav (Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow) spoke on “DNA and crime investigation- are we ready to face the challenge?” In his lecture he discussed about using SCIENTOONS, a novel concept in science communication for DNA fingerprinting technique, the methodology involved and its future prospects in an interesting manner. Mr.Rahul Patel (Bode Tech, USA) spoke on “Development of an Automated and Reliable System for the Collection, Processing, and Archiving of Buccal DNA Reference Samples for a DNA Database”. In his talk he evaluated and compared products currently available to streamline these procedures and made recommendations on important criteria for the selection of a Buccal DNA Collection system. Mrs. .Sharda Avadhanam Deputy Director, Forensic Science, AP Police Academy, gave an interesting lecture on “Different exhibits encountered in scene of offence-the value of DNA evidence” and how DNA evidence in the form of saliva, blood, skin tissue, hair, and semen are often recovered from crime scenes and can be crucial to the investigation of sexual assaults and other violent crimes. The program ended on the first day with an informative lecture by Dr.Madhusudan Reddy (Staff Scientist and Group Head, Center for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics, Hyderabad) who spoke on “DNA profiling- based disaster victim identification in India”. He explained how proper identification of dead bodies and assigning of the mortal remains to their relatives can be accomplished by comparing the DNA profiles of the body parts or skeletal remains with those of reference or relatives’ samples. Several posters were displayed on the same day by enthusiastic participants on various themes related to DNA Forensics which were judged by experts for awards to be given on the concluding day.
Following the great success of the first day, BioAxis DNA Research Centre, Hyderabad moved on to the second and final day of the conference. The second day was loaded with equally educative and exciting lectures exploring DNA Fingerprinting to its depth with the enlightening lectures by Dr.Sunil Verma, Dr. G.V. Jagadamba, Dr. G.K. Goswami and Dr. Thangraj, on various relevant topics. Dr Sunil Verma, Scientist, CCMB in his talk titled “From Sequences to the Science for Justice and More” explained how wildlife crime detection depends on successful identification of the species and elaborated on the molecular tools that his team developed to identify an organism from a biological sample of an unknown animal origin which helps in judging the severity of wildlife crime by the Wildlife law enforcement agencies and the judiciaries. Looking at the interest of Audience the history was created by establishing a new Wildlife foundation, many attendees donated for the noble cause of conserving wild Life Animals. Dr PK Sruvastava donated the first donation for the foundation. BioAxis DNA Research centre also donated in the foundation. Dr Jagadamba, Faculty, Forensic Science, AP Police Academy, delivered a lecture on “DNA evidence - forensic significance” and detailed the methods used in their laboratory for DNA typing and also discussed the significance of STR profiles. Dr G K Goswami, IPS, SSP, RPf, spoke on “Legal Issues Related to DNA Fingerprinting in Criminal Justice System" and introduced the audience with the pertinent laws and orders and DNA Bill. The last of the series was an informative lecture on “DNA Fingerprinting: What markers to select, When and Why?” by Dr. Thanga Raj, Scientist, CCMB, in which he explained the significance of the selection of appropriate genetic markers for different cases. The valedictory session had Dr. K K Sinha, Former Director, Mishra Dhatu Nigam Ltd., as the chief guest who gave a valedictory address and gave away the 3 best posters awards. Sangeeta Aditya, Central Forensic Science Laboratory was nominated as Young Scientist Awardee for DNA 2010. Best Poster award was grabbed by Vasavi Rama of University of Hyderabad followed by V B Parulekar from forensic Science Laboratory Mumbai and Roozan Parvez from St Xeviers Mumbai. Dr. Amit Kumar, Director BDRC and Dr. Shakuntala Bulusu Research Scientist, BDRC, gave vote of thanks and were congratulated by the learned dignitaries for the successful organization of the event. Overall, the entire 2-day duration of the program was a compact package of awareness to different dimensions of DNA, discussing in detail, the recent trends in DNA Fingerprinting, role of Forensic Science Laboratories, DNA Databanking, Population genetics of wild life forensics etc. BioAxis DNA Research Centre has a branch office in Gomati Nagar Lucknow.
DNA 2010 Photographs
Following the great success of the first day, BioAxis DNA Research Centre, Hyderabad moved on to the second and final day of the conference. The second day was loaded with equally educative and exciting lectures exploring DNA Fingerprinting to its depth with the enlightening lectures by Dr.Sunil Verma, Dr. G.V. Jagadamba, Dr. G.K. Goswami and Dr. Thangraj, on various relevant topics. Dr Sunil Verma, Scientist, CCMB in his talk titled “From Sequences to the Science for Justice and More” explained how wildlife crime detection depends on successful identification of the species and elaborated on the molecular tools that his team developed to identify an organism from a biological sample of an unknown animal origin which helps in judging the severity of wildlife crime by the Wildlife law enforcement agencies and the judiciaries. Looking at the interest of Audience the history was created by establishing a new Wildlife foundation, many attendees donated for the noble cause of conserving wild Life Animals. Dr PK Sruvastava donated the first donation for the foundation. BioAxis DNA Research centre also donated in the foundation. Dr Jagadamba, Faculty, Forensic Science, AP Police Academy, delivered a lecture on “DNA evidence - forensic significance” and detailed the methods used in their laboratory for DNA typing and also discussed the significance of STR profiles. Dr G K Goswami, IPS, SSP, RPf, spoke on “Legal Issues Related to DNA Fingerprinting in Criminal Justice System" and introduced the audience with the pertinent laws and orders and DNA Bill. The last of the series was an informative lecture on “DNA Fingerprinting: What markers to select, When and Why?” by Dr. Thanga Raj, Scientist, CCMB, in which he explained the significance of the selection of appropriate genetic markers for different cases. The valedictory session had Dr. K K Sinha, Former Director, Mishra Dhatu Nigam Ltd., as the chief guest who gave a valedictory address and gave away the 3 best posters awards. Sangeeta Aditya, Central Forensic Science Laboratory was nominated as Young Scientist Awardee for DNA 2010. Best Poster award was grabbed by Vasavi Rama of University of Hyderabad followed by V B Parulekar from forensic Science Laboratory Mumbai and Roozan Parvez from St Xeviers Mumbai. Dr. Amit Kumar, Director BDRC and Dr. Shakuntala Bulusu Research Scientist, BDRC, gave vote of thanks and were congratulated by the learned dignitaries for the successful organization of the event. Overall, the entire 2-day duration of the program was a compact package of awareness to different dimensions of DNA, discussing in detail, the recent trends in DNA Fingerprinting, role of Forensic Science Laboratories, DNA Databanking, Population genetics of wild life forensics etc. BioAxis DNA Research Centre has a branch office in Gomati Nagar Lucknow.
DNA 2010 Photographs
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| BDRC Team with attendees at DNA 2010 |
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| Police officers at DNA 2010 |
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| Dr Amit Kumar welcoming Dr Lalji singh at DNA 2010 |
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| Dr Amit Kumar, CEO BioAxis DNA Research Centre |
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| Inaugral DNA 2010 at Mekaster Auditorium (From Left Dr PK Srivastava, Dr Lalji singh, Dr Amit Kumar, Mr ON Murthy, Dr GK Goswami, Dr SK Khan)  |
