The DNA test is crucial in the investigation of rape and other crimes. However, it’s reported that officers do not get results from DNA Profile Laboratory after submitting a variety of evidence.

Due to delay in getting DNA report, charge sheets cannot be submitted on time. Reportedly, the DNA testing machine, genetic analyser, is inoperative for a long period.

After a 5-6-year-old child was raped in Kadamtali in the city, a case was lodged and the criminal arrested. The sub-inspector of Kadamtali police, Dipankar, says that he did not get DNA testing report in the last nine months.

Dipankar, says: “All the other work is done but I cannot give the charge sheet without the DNA report and am forced to take additional time from the court.”

Sub-inspector of the Khulna Sadar thana, Sanwar Hossain, adds: I submitted evidence in a rape case last November but haven’t received the report as yet.”

With a list of ten cases from Khulna Metropolitan Police, sub-inspector Shahnewaz went to the National Forensic DNA Profiling Laboratory but had to leave Dhaka without the report.

Whenever we contact for the report, the lab says the main machine is inoperative.

Till June 2019, evidence of more than 500 cases was submitted at the lab. Most of the cases are under the women and children repression act.

Despite repeated requests, relevant authorities have not fixed the machine.

As a result, cases are hanging. As per the lab, in 2018, evidence of 480 cases was submitted with 178 reports given. Evidence for 208 cases, submitted in the first four months, could not be tested.

Technical adviser of the National Forensic DNA Profiling Lab, Dr Sharif Akhtaruzzaman, said: “Since the genetic analyser is out of order, we are facing some problems; on top, the lab equipment is more than 12 years old and need to be serviced.”

However, we will soon overcome this problem, he assured.