Source: TH
Context: The Supreme Court in Kattavellai @ Devakar v. State of Tamil Nadu issued uniform guidelines for the collection, preservation, and presentation of DNA samples in criminal cases.
About SC Guidelines on DNA:
What it is?
- A landmark set of four procedural guidelines issued by SC to ensure integrity, reliability, and timely handling of DNA evidence in criminal investigations.
- Aims to standardise chain of custody across all States despite policing being a State subject.
Case Name: Kattavellai @ Devakar v. State of Tamil Nadu (2025) – involved rape, murder, and robbery.
Key Features:
- Proper Documentation: Every DNA sample must be packaged with FIR details, case sections, names of IO, medical officer, and independent witnesses, ensuring traceability from the start.
- Timely Dispatch (48-Hour Rule): Investigating Officer must transport DNA samples to Forensic Science Laboratory within 48 hours of collection.
- Any delay must be explained in writing, and proper refrigeration/preservation is mandatory.
- No Tampering During Storage: Once sealed, the package cannot be opened, altered, or resealed without trial court’s explicit permission.
- Chain of Custody Register: A detailed register must record every transfer of the sample—from collection to court disposal—signed by all handlers.
Judicial Precedent:
- Anil v. State of Maharashtra (2014): DNA profile valid but depends on lab quality control.
- Manoj v. MP (2022): DNA report rejected due to contamination risk from open recovery site.
- Rahul v. Delhi (2022): DNA report rejected due to 2-month Malkhana storage without safeguards.
