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Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital in Bengaluru has been designated as the nodal centre for collecting DNA samples from first-degree relatives of Karnataka residents reported missing in the floods in Nepal.
The Karnataka State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) issued an order on Friday, September 4, directing relatives of those missing to approach the hospital for verification and DNA profiling.
First-degree relatives — father, mother, son, daughter or spouse — have been asked to carry a recent passport-size photograph, a government-issued identity proof such as Aadhaar, and supporting documents to establish their relationship with the missing person.
The relationship will be verified using available official records and the documents submitted by the family. The referral to the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) must also carry a certification from the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) Chief Commissioner’s office or the concerned Deputy Commissioner’s office.
The certification will include the details of the person reported missing, the person providing the DNA sample, the nature of their first-degree relationship and the documents submitted for verification.
Dr Nagesh Kuppast, Professor and Head of the Department of Forensic Medicine at Bowring Hospital, has been designated the nodal officer. He will oversee verification of the relationship and collection of DNA samples. Resident Medical Officer Dr Vadiraj B Pokkan will assist with the process.
Once collected and verified, the DNA samples will be sent to the FSL for profiling and subsequently shared with the Nepalese authorities to help identify mortal remains and facilitate their repatriation.
The move follows a September 1 press note from the Embassy of India in Kathmandu on the identification and repatriation of mortal remains of foreign nationals.
KSDMA has asked Deputy Commissioners and district disaster management authorities to inform families of those reported missing and facilitate the process.
Families seeking assistance can contact the KSDMA helpline at 080-22232040 or email commissionerkarnatakasdma@gmail.com.
