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DNA bill ready for Knesset vote

Legislation supporting formation of special DNA database for missing persons, unidentified remains to go before House in coming weeks

The DNA bill, which proposes forming a DNA database for missing persons and unidentified remains, was approved for its second the third reading Tuesday by the Knesset's Constitution, Law and Justice Committee.

 

The current process of remains identification is headed by the Abu Kabir Institute of Forensic Medicine: Families who arrive to identify loved ones supply DNA samples which are cross-referenced with the remains.

 

 

The bill calls for the synchronization of all existing DNA databases – which will significantly expedite the identification process.

 

Dr. Maya Freund, head of forensic biology at Abu Kabir, said that such a database would allow to cross–reference the DNA samples of 320 sets of remains currently at the forensic institute, with some 500 samples given by the families of missing persons.

 

"We believe we can help some of them find out what happened to their loved ones," she said.

 

Chief Superintendent Elazar Kahane of the Ministry of Public Security added that "in addition to the enormous assistance the database will lend to missing persons cases, it will also assist in case of a mass casualty event."

 

The database will not only help police clear missing person cases, he added, but may also provide crucial leads in case of foul play being involved in an individual's disappearance.

 

The bill will also allow police to cross-reference the information with the future biometric database and the criminal registry; and will allow the department to reach collaboration and information-sharing agreements with law enforcement agencies worldwide.

 

 


פרסום ראשון: 06.14.11, 22:59
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