Air India Crash: Why DNA sample is important
DNA sample plays an important role in identifying victims after air disasters. At the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, more than 200 families have given their DNA samples to match the remains of the victims of Air India crash.

In short
- DNA sample is important when the bodies are unfamiliar or fragmented
- Samples can be taken from bone, tooth or tissue even after excessive damage
- DNA matching with family references shuts down mourning families
An Air India flight in London crashed soon after flying from Ahmedabad on Thursday, causing India to see the worst air disaster in about 30 years.
The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner was carrying 242 passengers and crew, when it went down at 1:38 am after leaving Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Gujarat. The aircraft crashed in a hostel at Bij Medical College in the busy Meghni Nagar area, fine as the medical students were sitting for lunch.
Because the aircraft took off the bus, it was carrying more than 1.25 lakh liters of fuel, which caused heavy fire due to burning, causing severe irritation.
At the Civil Hospital in Ahmedabad, more than 200 families have given their DNA samples to match the remains.
More than 200 DNA samples have been collected to help identify victims of aircraft accident. Many bodies are badly burnt and are in some pieces, making them impossible to identify them without DNA tests.
The test is expected to take around 72 hours. Families expected a response from various parts of India and even Britain.
How does DNA sample help during air disaster?
After an aerial disaster, identifying the victims becomes an important yet challenging TAS, especially when the bodies are severely burnt, fragmented or unfamiliar. This is where the DNA sample plays an important role.
DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the unique genetic code found in each human cell. It can also be extracted from remains such as bone, teeth or tissue in extreme conditions such as high heat or explosion.
Forensic teams collect these samples from the crash site and match them with reference DNA provided by family members of the victims or individual items such as toothbrushes, combs or old medical records.
This process, known as DNA profiles, helps in the positive identity of the victims, which brings clarity and closes grieved families. It also supports official documentation and enables authorities to issue death certificates, which are required for legal and insurance procedures.
In addition, DNA analysis can sometimes help to re -organize events, for example, recognizing where the passengers were seated or did there be some injuries before or after the accident.
Although time-consuming and resource-intensive, DNA sample is often the most reliable way to identify when visual recognition or fingerprinting is impossible. It plays an important human and legal role after aviation tragedies.