DNA Technology (Use and Application) Regulation Bill 2019

The DNA Technology Regulation Bill seeks to regulate the use and application of DNA technology for the purpose of establishing the identity of specific categories of persons which include offenders, victims, suspects, undertrials, missing individuals and unknown

deceased person and related matters. The bill has the potential of wide application in the justice delivery systems in civil and criminal cases. In case of criminal cases, the bill helps in the investigation of crimes through biological evidence which includes semen evidence in cases of rape, blood evidence in cases of murder cases, saliva evidence in the identification of the source of anonymous threat letters etc. In civil matters, it helps in the investigation related to victims of disasters like air crash, cyclone, etc. It helps in the misuse or improper use of DNA analysis that can harm individuals.

Objectives

The bill aims to regulate the laboratories for DNA testing and analysis by providing for their accreditation
It helps establish national and regional DNA Data Banks to store and maintain DNA profiles and a DNA Regulatory Board for governance

DNA Regulatory Board

The Board will comprise experts in the field of

forensic, biological sciences, and legal matters. It will be headed by a secretary-level officer and will have representatives from various police and investigating agencies.

Functions of the Board

Advising governments on issues related to establishing DNA labs and data banks
Laying down standards, guidelines, and procedures for the functioning of the labs and banks
Granting accreditation to DNA labs
Assisting investigation agencies in the country and outside in criminal matters
Making recommendations for privacy protection in access, use and analysis of DNA samples

No court will have jurisdiction to entertain a proceeding or suit in matters where the Board is empowered.

DNA Data Bank

The bill provides details to establish a National DNA Data bank and Regional Data Bank for each state or two or more states. The

laboratories will have to share DNA data prepared by them with the National and Regional DNA Data Banks. The bank will have to maintain indices for data which includes a crime scene index, a missing suspects’ index, an offenders index, a missing person’s index and an unknown deceased persons’ index.

DNA Laboratories

A laboratory taking DNA testing will need to obtain accreditation from the Board. The board can revoke accreditation for reasons including failure to:

Undertake DNA testing
Comply with conditions attached to the accreditation

Every laboratory should follow standards for quality assurance in case of collection, storing and analysis of DNA samples. After depositing the profile for criminal cases, the laboratory will have to return the sample to the investing officer. In other cases, the sample should be destroyed.

Collection of DNA

When preparing a DNA profile, bodily substances of persons can be collected by investigating authorities. It is essential to obtain consent for collection in specific situations. In the case of arrested

individuals, authorities will be required to obtain written consent if the offense carries a punishment of up to seven years. For more than seven years of imprisonment or death, consent is not necessary. Additionally, if the individual is a victim or a relative of a missing person, or a minor or disabled person, the authorities will have to obtain written consent of the victim, or parent, or relative, or guardian of the small or disabled individual. When consent is not provided, the authorities can approach a Magistrate who can order taking the bodily substances of such individuals.

Use of DNA Data

As per the bill, DNA testing is allowed only in case of a few matters that are listed in the Schedule to the Bill. It includes offenses under Indian Penal Code, 1960 and civil matters like paternity suits. The schedule also includes DNA testing for matters which are related to the establishment of individual identity. DNA testing is allowed to facilitate the identification of a person in connection with matters that are listed in the Schedule of the Bill like (a) criminal offenses under the Indian Penal Code where DNA testing is useful for investigating offenses, (b) offenses in special laws relating to immoral trafficking, sex selection, medical termination of pregnancy, civil rights violation, domestic violence and atrocities against

ST and SC, (c) civil matters like pedigree issues, paternal disputes, transplantation of human organs, assisted reproductive technologies, immigration/emigration and establishment of individual identity, and (d) cases like identifying unidentified human remains and abandoned children, medical negligence etc.

Protection of Information

The Board ensure that the information relating to DNA profiles, DNA samples and any records thereof, forwarded to, or in custody of, the National DNA Data Bank or the Regional DNA Data Bank or a DNA laboratory or any other person or authority under this Act, are secured and kept confidential.

Removal of Profile

The bill allows the removal of DNA profile through a written request for an individual who is neither a suspect or an offender but whose DNA profile is entered in the crime scene index of the Data Bank.

Offenses

For offenses like unauthorised disclosure, obtaining, use and access of DNA samples or results, there will be imprisonment up to three years and a fine up to Rs.1 lakh. Destruction, contamination, alteration or tampering with biological evidence will lead to five years of imprisonment and a fine up to Rs.2 lakh. The exact release from the Government of India can be accessed below:

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about DNA Technology Regulation Bill 2019: Use and Application.

The main purpose of the bill is to regulate the use and application of DNA technology for establishing the identity of specific categories of persons, including offenders, victims, suspects, undertrials, missing individuals, and unknown deceased persons. It aims to facilitate the use of DNA analysis in criminal investigations and civil matters related to individual identification.

The bill requires DNA laboratories to obtain accreditation from the DNA Regulatory Board. The Board will lay down standards, guidelines, and procedures for the functioning of these labs. It can also revoke accreditation if the labs fail to comply with the specified conditions or quality assurance standards.

The DNA Regulatory Board will comprise experts in forensic science, biological sciences, and legal matters. Its functions include advising governments on establishing DNA labs and data banks, granting accreditation to DNA labs, assisting investigation agencies in criminal matters, and making recommendations for privacy protection in the use and analysis of DNA samples.

The bill mandates the DNA Regulatory Board to ensure that information related to DNA profiles, samples, and records are secured and kept confidential. It also imposes penalties for unauthorized disclosure, use, or access of DNA data, as well as for tampering with biological evidence.

The bill proposes the establishment of a National DNA Data Bank and Regional DNA Data Banks for each state or group of states. These data banks will maintain indices for crime scene data, missing persons, suspects, offenders, and unknown deceased persons. DNA laboratories will be required to share DNA data with these data banks.

For offenses carrying a punishment of up to seven years, the investigating authorities will need to obtain written consent from the arrested individual for collecting bodily substances. For more serious offenses, consent is not necessary. Consent is also required from victims, relatives of missing persons, minors, or disabled individuals, or their guardians.

The bill allows DNA testing only for matters listed in its Schedule, which includes offenses under the Indian Penal Code, special laws related to trafficking, sex selection, civil rights violations, and civil matters such as paternity suits, organ transplantation, and assisted reproductive technologies.

The bill allows individuals who are neither suspects nor offenders, but whose DNA profiles are entered in the crime scene index of the Data Bank, to request the removal of their profiles through a written request.

Unauthorized disclosure, obtaining, use, or access of DNA samples or results can lead to imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of up to Rs.1 lakh. Destruction, contamination, alteration, or tampering with biological evidence can result in five years of imprisonment and a fine of up to Rs.2 lakh.

The bill aims to establish uniformity in DNA testing and analysis by laying down standards, guidelines, and procedures for the functioning of DNA laboratories and data banks through the DNA Regulatory Board. It also requires accreditation of DNA laboratories to ensure compliance with quality assurance standards.