Tooth by tooth, gene by gene: How India is identifying the victims of Ahmedabad air crash

The Air India plane crashed near the Ahmedabad airport just after taking off on June 12.

Nearly ten days after the devastating Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad that killed 241 people onboard and at least 19 on the ground, authorities continue the complex process of identifying victims, most of whom were charred beyond recognition. The process, as The Indian Express reports, is being guided by Interpol's Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) protocol and involves dental forensics, DNA profiling, and meticulous cross-checking of secondary identifiers.

The London-bound Air India flight crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12, striking a building near B. J. Medical College and Hospital. The aftermath left bodies so severely burned that even fingerprinting became impossible.

Officials at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital told The Indian Express that they are adhering strictly to Interpol’s 2023 DVI guidelines, which prioritise three primary identifiers: fingerprints, dental examination, and DNA. Secondary markers like jewellery, tattoos, and scars are considered unreliable.

As of June 20, authorities had identified 223 victims and returned the remains of 204 to their families. Gujarat officials say the final toll will be released once DNA testing is completed for all passengers and those killed on the ground.

According to the report, DNA extraction and matching are being handled by two forensic institutions: the Directorate of Forensic Science (DFS) and the National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in Gandhinagar. The process involves cleaning remains of possible contamination, powdering teeth and bones, and using magnetic bead-based extraction to isolate genetic material. The DNA is then matched with samples collected from relatives at the hospital’s autopsy center.

Dr. Jayasankar P. Pillai, a forensic odontologist at the Government Dental College, told The Indian Express he immediately mobilised 50 students to help carry out dental examinations and autopsies on the night of the crash. “We began the process around 6 pm on June 12 and worked through the night,” he said. Dental DNA was a key tool in the identification process, especially molars, which resist heat better than other tissues. Crowns from dental procedures, with high melting points, also offered critical clues.

Dr Tamanna Parmar, a periodontist and one of the early volunteers, described the morgue scenes as unforgettable. Many bodies were stiffened by rigour mortis and deformed by fire. “It took two people just to straighten them out for examination.”

The identification of children posed even more difficulty. According to the passenger manifest, 13 minors were onboard, some under two years old. Because baby teeth are more vulnerable to heat, in many cases only developing permanent molars could be used to determine age and identity, the report said.

The report quoting Dr S O Junare, director of NFSU’s Gujarat campus, explained how the team used 24 genetic markers for each victim’s profile and applied Y-STR and X-STR analysis in cases where entire families had died, and only extended relatives were available for DNA reference.

With most victims’ remains embalmed and sealed for long-distance transport, Civil Hospital officials said the bodies were prepared in line with international and legal norms. Dr. Rakesh Joshi, the hospital’s medical superintendent, told the newspaper that handing over the bodies was “the most critical part”, given both the emotional trauma and legal implications involved.

Gujarat Relief Commissioner Alok Pandey added that state officials were also working to swiftly process inquest reports and insurance claims. A 24/7 help desk has been set up to support grieving families.