DNA Testing Process and Timeline for Bodies Recovered from Bhote Koshi-Trishuli Floods

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Following the Bhote Koshi-Trishuli floods, the Nepal Police have reported that DNA testing is required for over three thousand unidentified bodies recovered from various locations as well as for missing persons’ families. According to police statistics, 1,286 DNA samples have been collected from the deceased so far, while 1,715 samples have been obtained from family members seeking identification. These samples are currently being tested at the Central Forensic Science Laboratory of the police and the National Forensic Science Laboratory located in Khumaltar. Alongside the police health workers and forensic specialists, teams of foreign DNA experts from South Korea, Singapore, India, and China are also involved in the testing process. According to police, four teams in total—two at each laboratory—are actively conducting the tests.

For DNA testing, samples such as teeth, bones, or bamboo from the recovered bodies have been securely preserved, while blood samples have been taken from family members, Police Spokesperson Abhi Narayan Kafle informed. “The DNA testing of the bodies takes more than four days to complete, whereas the tests of DNA samples submitted by living family members for identification are completed within two days,” he explained. “Therefore, the teams are making efforts to expedite the process by increasing machinery and manpower.” Since the testing began, approximately 300 DNA tests have been completed, according to police sources.

Once tests are complete on both sides, a software-based matching process will be conducted, and the handover of bodies will commence simultaneously. “The DNA reports from the bodies and from family members are entered into the software. After a match is found, it is determined which body belongs to which family, and the family is informed accordingly,” he said. “All materials are stored securely underground, so bodies cannot be handed over one by one. Once all tests are finalized, legal procedures will be completed and the bodies will be released to families all at once.” The police spokesperson added that since many people remain missing, bodies are expected to continue to be found and DNA testing will remain necessary.

What are the complexities involved in testing? Genetic scientist Sameer Mani Dixit explained that compared to DNA testing conducted under normal circumstances, the process in this case is more complex and requires specialized testing due to the flood conditions. “Testing at the government’s two laboratories for at least 3,000 samples could take several months,” he said. “Since the testing adheres to international standards, it assures accurate identification. However, because the bodies were swept away with soil and stones, questions arise about how effectively the technology can identify the samples.” The police are also collecting DNA samples from body parts such as hands and feet found separately. Experts confirm that this leads to longer testing times than usual.

“Extracting DNA from body parts is very challenging. The extracted DNA is often contaminated with bacteria and pathogens from animals, plants, and soil, and it is uncertain how finely the technology can identify such samples,” he added. However, Pushkar Raj Bhatt, an expert at the National Forensic Science Laboratory, stated that since samples are taken from the teeth and bone marrow inside the bones, the tests yield accurate results. “Cells are taken from within the teeth and bone marrow, reducing the chance of external contamination,” he explained. He noted that although Nepal’s annual capacity is approximately 300 DNA tests for bodies, the recent import of foreign equipment has made it possible to accelerate the process. “With assistance from experts who arrived from India at the government’s request, efforts are underway to speed up testing using two machines. Our team is also working with four small rapid kits brought from South Korea,” Bhatt said. “Additionally, equipment imported from China is also being utilized at the National Forensic Science Laboratory.”