1. Introduction
Forensic Biology and Serology play a key role in the investigation of sexual assault cases. Blood, Semen, saliva, hair, and foetal tissue are biological evidence that can provide concrete scientific information needed to establish the offender's identity. Profiling using DNA technology is therefore the most reliable evidence for proving either the innocence or the guilt of the accused.
This case is notable because the DNA evidence not only implicated the true perpetrator but also exonerated an innocent person who would have suffered severely due to false accusations.
2. Case Detail
· State: Maharashtra, India
· Year of Investigation: 2015-2016
· Published: June 2017
· Victim: 16-year-old orphan girl who was staying at Government Shelter Home
· Initially Accused: Victim’s maternal uncle
· Actual Offender: Victim’s brother-in-law
· Crime: Rape of a minor leading to pregnancy as per Section 376 IPC (applicable at the time of incident)
3. Background of the Case
The victim was a 16-year-old orphan girl who lived in the government shelter home. The girl got pregnant, which was discovered during a routine medical exam by doctors. After the police and welfare officers questioned the girl, she claimed that her maternal uncle had sexually assaulted her. The police opened a rape case against the accused and started investigating.
Since the victim was pregnant, the police decided to do a DNA test to scientifically prove the rape allegations instead of believing just one side of the story. That is when the case took an unexpected turn, and the police started investigating the girl’s maternal uncle.
4. Investigation
At first, the police kept the maternal uncle of the victim as a prime suspect.
The following procedures were carried out as a part of the investigation:
1. Recording the victim’s statement.
2. Medical examination of the victim.
3. Collection of biological samples of the victim.
4. Medical termination of pregnancy (done legally), after which the foetal tissues were collected for forensic DNA analysis.
5. The medical evidence, including DNA samples and tissue, was sent to the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory (RFSL), Maharashtra.
5. Biological Evidence Collected
The following biological evidence was collected:
· Victim’s blood.
· The maternal uncle’s blood.
· The foetal tissue taken during termination of the pregnancy.
· The blood of the victim’s brother-in-law (after the first DNA result ruled out the possibility of his uncle’s involvement).
· Reference samples needed to make a comparison.
6 Forensic Biology and Serology Examination
A )Blood Sample Collection
Blood samples were taken in a sterile manner and stored properly.
Purpose:
· To isolate DNA from each sample.
· To compare the DNA profile with that of the foetal DNA.
B )DNA extraction
DNA was extracted from:-
1. Victim’s blood
2. Maternal uncle’s blood
3. Brother-in-law’s blood
4. Foetal tissue
The DNA was then tested to ensure that it was not defective or had deficient amounts.
C) PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)
Scientists then used the Polymerase Chain Reaction, to amplify the DNA samples they needed. This is because a small amount of DNA is enough to obtain a genetic profile using this machine.
D)STR DNA Profiling
The forensic scientist then tested for Short Tandem Repeats (STR) DNA profiling. This helps in the identification of individuals based on their genetic make-up and is used when establishing paternity or maternity. This includes:-
1. The victim’s DNA profile
2. The foetus’s DNA profile
3. Maternal uncle’s DNA profile
4. Brother-in-law’s DNA profile
7. DNA Results
First DNA Comparison
The maternal uncle’s DNA was not compatible with the paternal DNA transferred to the foetus.
This result proved scientifically that:
1. He was not the baby’s father
2. He could not have fertilized the ovum
The forensic report even removed all doubts about it.
Further Investigation
Since the initial false accusation had been exposed, the police proceeded to question other possible suspects.
Accordingly, the victim revealed that she was raped by her brother- in- law and that she used to cover her sister’s marital life and family. The police then collected his blood sample for DNA analysis.
Second DNA Comparison
The DNA test results indicated that the brother- in- law’s paternal DNA matched that of the foetus.
These results proved beyond reasonable doubt that
He was the foetus’s biological father and that he was the one who had committed the rape.
8. Role of Forensic Biology
Forensic biology was key in this case because it helped to
Exclude an innocent suspect,
Identify the real offender,
Offer scientific evidence.
Forensic biology helped to guide the police to the right suspect because it provided concrete evidence. If it were not for the DNA test, the maternal uncle would have been convicted.
9. Court Trial
The prosecution used the following evidence during the trial:
DNA profile
Results of laboratory tests at the RFSL
Medical reports
Testimony by expert witnesses
The court convicted the brother-in-law because the DNA evidence was admissible and proved beyond reasonable doubt that the brother-in-law was the father of the foetus and not the maternal uncle.
10. Judgment
Based on the given DNA paternity report, the court ruled that:
The maternal uncle is not guilty.
The charges were filed against the victim’s brother-in-law.
The accused was found guilty of sexually assaulting a minor and was sentenced to seven years in prison and a fine worth ₹2000.
11. Significance of the Case
This case helped establish that forensic biology can exonerate the innocent and protect them from being convicted. This is achieved by providing empirical evidence that the accused is not guilty. Thus, DNA profiling helps make criminal cases objective instead of relying on testimonies.
Conclusion
The Maharashtra case is a prime example of the work of forensic biology and serology. Analysis of the DNA of blood and foetal tissue enabled to exclude the maternal uncle wrongly accused and to identify the real criminal – the victim’s brother-in-law. The court used the results of forensic DNA testing to convict the criminal. Thus, the case shows how forensic science can protect both the victims and the innocent accused.
REFERENCE
Source: Published in the International Journal of Health Sciences and Research (IJHSR),
June 2017 by scientists from the Regional Forensic Science Laboratory (RFSL), Maharashtra.
PRESENTED BY –
RAKHEE KUMARI
