Identification of Accused from Gutkha Spitting- Success of DNA Profiling

Authors: Vaishali B Mahajan* , Deepak Y Kudekar , Maruti S Ghuge , Amulya A Pande , Bhausaheb P More and Vijay J Thakare

DOI: 10.23880/ijfsc-16000242

Volume 6, Issue 4

Abstract

Gutkha is specifically manufactured in India which is prepared of crushed areca nut, tobacco, catechu, paraffin wax, slaked lime, and sweet flavourings. It is consumed by placing a pinch of it between the gum and cheek and gently sucking and chewing, similar to chewing tobacco. Though many states of India have banned gutkha, some people are using it illegally. The spitting of betel leaf juice or gutkha collected from the scene of crime plays important role in forensic DNA identification. Isolation of cell material from biological traces on forensic evidence is often a serious challenge to solving forensic cases. Successful extraction of DNA from such evidence having trace quantity of cellular portion even in critically low quantity could be achieved by proper observation and collection of evidence. We have analysed two different cases in our laboratory at Nashik, one of murder and another of burglary, in which traces of gutkha were used to solve the crime. In both cases, DNA was successfully isolated from gutkha spitting, and obtained DNA profile was tallied with DNA profile of reference blood of accused. This is one of the important pieces of evidence to prove the presence of the accused at the crime scene. It is supportive evidence for the judiciary while deciding to convict the accused along with other shreds of evidence.

Keywords: DNA; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Denaturation; Allele; Genotyping; Gutkha

View PDF