September 3, Kathmandu
Nepal Police has begun a DNA testing process to search for citizens who went missing in the Bhotekoshi River flood in Rasuwa, and to identify unclaimed bodies and human remains that have been recovered.
Following the devastating flood on August 26, Nepal Police issued a notice asking blood relatives of the deceased to provide DNA samples to help identify bodies and body parts found along the riverbanks and surrounding areas.
According to the notice, first-degree relatives of missing citizens, whether based in Nepal or abroad, will need to complete the DNA testing procedure.
Things relatives in Nepal should do
One of the closest blood relatives (father, mother, son, or daughter) of a missing Nepali or foreign citizen must appear in person with two passport-size photos, as stated in the Nepal Police notice. They must provide a fresh blood sample for DNA profiling, either at the Pathology Lab of Nepal Police Hospital, Maharajgunj, Kathmandu, or at their nearest District Police Office.
Things families abroad should do
For foreign nationals or non-resident Nepalis abroad, one of the parents or children must get “autosomal STR DNA profiling” done through an official forensic laboratory in that country. Police have requested that a soft copy (digital copy) of this profile be sent to Nepal Police’s official email.
The email should include:
- The full name and nationality of the missing person
- Passport or official ID details
- The date and probable location of disappearance
- The DNA profiling report from a recognised laboratory
- The family relationship between the person providing the DNA and the missing person
Nepal Police has designated two contact officers for coordination on DNA testing:
- Police Inspector Shambhu Bahadur KC: 9841616095
- Deputy Police Inspector (SI) Bishnu Ghimire: 9857091013
Police stated that since the flood swept away a large number of citizens and many bodies have been found in a badly damaged condition, this scientific identification process has been made mandatory to properly return the remains to families.
