A Rape on a Minor Victim Under POCSO Act 2012 Investigation Through DNA Analysis Technique—A Case Study

Abstract

DNA profiling is a technique by which an individual can be identified at molecular level [1]. The use of DNA evidence in criminal investigation has grown in recent years. DNA testing has helped law enforcement agencies to identify criminals and solve difficult crimes such as rape, murder, murder with rape, paternity cases etc. The potential of DNA typing has made possible the resolution of immigration problems and complicated paternity testing. Rapid identification of individuals in mass-disaster (man- made such as-explosions or natural such as- earthquake, land sliding) using DNA typing has also been made possible. Computerized DNA database for the identification of criminal offenders have been created in some countries. DNA profiling is a powerful investigative tool because, with the exception of identical twins, no two people have the same DNA [2]. In other words, the sequence or order of the DNA building blocks is different in particular region of the DNA, making each person’s DNA unique. DNA has great importance in criminal investigation cases such as-murder, rape, disputed paternity, man-made disaster etc. This paper examines the science of DNA identification in rape case. It describes the main benefits and costs of the increasing role of DNA identification in the criminal justice system. The present work is to find out whether the accused is involved in the rape case scenario falling under protection of children against sexual offences Act 2012 with a minor victim. The case study was performed using the DNA isolation technique by the automated process and run on the instrument Genetic Analyzer 3500. The technique and results are discussed in the case study.