How the UMID DNA database helped identify the deceased and bring closure to families.
Case 1 31 Aug 2019 Madanpur Khadar, New Delhi
Case 1: On 31st August 2019, a decomposed unknown body was found floating near the Yamuna riverbank, in front of Aali Farm, Madanpur Khadar, New Delhi. The deceased was wearing a green half-sleeve t-shirt and black track pants, with one red shoe on the left foot. The body was brought to AIIMS for post-mortem, and the autopsy was conducted on 16th September 2019. As per our established protocol, phenotypic details of the deceased were noted, and samples (tibia and teeth) were collected after obtaining consent from the Investigating Officer. All the information regarding this case was uploaded to our database, and the samples were processed for DNA extraction. The Phenol Chloroform Isoamyl Alcohol (PCI) organic extraction method was used. However, due to the decomposed condition of the body, the extracted DNA was degraded, and downstream processing proved to be a challenge.
In the meantime, a family approached the Investigating Officer claiming the deceased to be their son. The suspected parents were brought to our department, and the entire DNA identification process was explained to them. Their consent was taken prior to sample collection, and all the phenotypic details of the missing person were recorded in a predesigned proforma. 2 mL of blood was drawn from each of the suspected parents, and their genotypes were generated from the DNA profiles obtained. Manual analysis of the profiles showed a 100% match between the profiles of the claimants and the deceased. The claimants' profiles were also run through our DNA database, and only one hit was observed, which was the deceased they were claiming.
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Case 2 23 Jan 2020 Nehru Place, New Delhi
Case 2: A PCR call was received at Kalkaji Police Station on 23rd January 2020, reporting an unknown male lying unconscious in front of Yes Bank, Chiranjiv Tower, Nehru Place, New Delhi. He was wearing a red sweater and black pants. He was brought to the casualty department at AIIMS Hospital, New Delhi, where he was declared brought dead on the same day. The autopsy was conducted on 30th January 2020. As per our established protocol, phenotypic details of the deceased were noted, and samples (tibia and tissue) were collected after obtaining consent from the Investigating Officer. All the information regarding this case was uploaded to our database, and the samples were processed for DNA extraction and STR analysis.
On 20th February 2020, a woman approached the Investigating Officer claiming the deceased to be her father. She was brought to our department, and the entire DNA identification process was explained to her. On her suggestion, her brother was also called to help in identifying the deceased. Their consent was taken prior to sample collection, and all the phenotypic details of the missing person were recorded in a predesigned proforma. 2 mL of blood was drawn from both siblings, and DNA was extracted using the XpressDNA Blood kit (MagGenome Technologies). The DNA was isolated within a few hours, after which PCR amplification was carried out on the samples of the claimants and the deceased. After generation of the genotypes, manual analysis showed a match between the profiles of the claimants and the deceased. The claimants' profiles were also run through our DNA database, and only one hit was observed, which was the deceased they were claiming.
Case 3 30 Apr 2025 Sangam Vihar, New Delhi
Case 3: On 30th April 2025, at 06:30 AM, an unknown male fetus was found lying still near G-2, Gali No. 18, Sangam Vihar, New Delhi. The body was brought to AIIMS Hospital, New Delhi, where it was declared brought dead on the same day. The autopsy was conducted on 1st May 2025. The possible phenotypic details were recorded in the proforma, and the available biological samples were preserved after obtaining consent from the Investigating Officer. The phenotypic details were also recorded in the UMID database. The autopsy findings indicated that the fetus was stillborn, with a gestational age of 9 months and a length of 40 cm.
The Investigating Officer then approached us to conduct STR profiling of the fetus along with the alleged father and alleged mother, who were claiming to be its biological parents. Informed consent was taken from both claimants to collect blood samples, and the respective proforma was filled in simultaneously. STR analysis was performed on all three samples, i.e., the blood samples from the claimants and the blood-stained gauze from the fetus. STR profiles were successfully developed for all three samples, and the results were analysed. Based on the genotype data, the alleged mother was found to be the biological mother of the fetus.
Case 4 3 Mar 2026 Hazrat Nizamuddin, New Delhi
Case 4: On 3rd March 2026, at 11:25 PM, an unidentified male deceased with a severely disfigured face was found lying on Platform No. 1 of Hazrat Nizamuddin Railway Station following a railway accident. The body was shifted to the LNJP Mortuary, New Delhi, for medico-legal examination and preservation. The post-mortem examination was conducted on 17th March 2026 at the Department of Forensic Medicine, Maulana Azad Medical College (MAMC), New Delhi, one of the participating centres of the UMID project. During the autopsy, all observable phenotypic characteristics were documented using the standardized UMID proforma. After obtaining consent from the Investigating Officer, the available biological samples, including blood-stained gauze and a tooth, were collected and preserved for DNA analysis. The recorded phenotypic details were then uploaded to the UMID database.
On 25th May 2026, a man reported to Police Station Hazrat Nizamuddin that his 19-year-old son had been missing since 08:00 PM on 3rd March 2026. A search of the UMID database was initiated; however, visual identification was not feasible because the deceased's face had sustained extensive traumatic disfigurement. At the request of the Investigating Officer, a 2 mL peripheral blood sample was collected from the claimant (alleged father) at AIIMS New Delhi for STR analysis. Short Tandem Repeat (STR) profiles were successfully generated from both the unidentified deceased and the claimant's sample. The claimant's STR profile was then searched against the UMID–AIIMS DNA database, resulting in a single match, corresponding to the unidentified deceased. This established that the claimant was the biological father of the deceased.
