Why in news?
Cabinet has approved the DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill, 2018.
What are the key provisions?
- The Bill provides for the mandatory accreditation and regulation of DNA laboratories.
- It seeks to ensure that the DNA test results are reliable.
- It also ensures that the data remain protected from misuse or abuse in terms of the privacy rights of citizens.
- The Bill's provisions will enable the cross-matching between
- persons who have been reported missing
- unidentified dead bodies
- victims in mass disasters
- The government will set up DNA data banks across India to store profiles.
- It imposes jail term of up to 3 years and a fine of up to Rs 1 lakh on those who leak the information stored in such facilities.
- These banks will maintain a national database for identification of victims, accused, suspects, undertrials, missing persons and unidentified human remains.
- The Bill creates a DNA Profiling Board that would be the final authority to -
- authorise the creation of State-level DNA databanks
- approve the methods of collection
- analyse DNA-technologies
What is the objective?
- Forensic DNA profiling helps in offences categorized as affecting the human body and those against property.
- It includes murder, rape, human trafficking, or grievous hurt and theft, burglary, dacoity.
- National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) put the number of such crimes in excess of 3 lakhs per year.
- Of these, only a very small proportion is being subjected to DNA testing at present.
- The primary purpose of the Bill is thus to expand the application of DNA-based forensic technologies.
- The expanded use of DNA technology in these cases would result in speedier justice delivery.
- It could also help in increased conviction rates, which at present is only around 30%.
Source: PIB, Economic Times
