A model DNA database laboratory will soon come up in Gujarat, which is being seen as a big step towards solving crimes of complex nature.

“DNA fingerprinting has become one of the main methods to identify suspects. DNA collected from a crime scene can either link the suspect to the evidence or acquit him or her, which is why accurate DNA fingerprinting is critical as a crime-solving tool,” said J M Vyas, Director of the Gandhinagar-based Directorate of Forensic Science (DFS).

The laboratory, to be set up by DFS, has been sanctioned by the Centre to meet the requirement of the DNA Profiling Bill to be tabled in Parliament soon, Vyas added.

According to the proposed bill, to accept DNA fingerprinting as an evidence in a court of law to prove a crime, the tests should be done in government laboratories. DFS will develop a software to store DNA database of a large number of people, Vyas said, adding that the Centre has granted Rs 1.40 crore for the project.