Major Warehouse Fire in Nazirabad (Kolkata): DNA Mapping and Forensic Identification Underway
A devastating fire at two adjoining warehouses in the Nazirabad–Anandapur area of Kolkata has resulted in one of the city’s most complex mass-fatality forensic operations in recent years. The blaze led to multiple deaths, with many victims’ remains found in severely charred and fragmented condition, making visual identification impossible.
In response, state forensic authorities have initiated DNA mapping and advanced forensic identification procedures, relying primarily on teeth and bone marrow samples. Several exhibits have already been sent to forensic science laboratories, while reference DNA samples are being collected from family members of the missing.
Incident Overview
The fire broke out inside warehouse facilities storing highly combustible materials and spread rapidly due to dense storage layouts and alleged safety lapses. Rescue operations continued for several hours, after which recovery teams began the grim task of collecting human remains from the debris.
Many remains were recovered as skeletal fragments or charred body parts, necessitating a scientific identification process rather than traditional methods such as fingerprints or facial recognition.
Forensic Identification Process
Evidence Recovery and Documentation
Each recovered fragment has been treated as a separate forensic exhibit. Strict protocols are being followed for labeling, photographing, sealing, and maintaining the chain of custody, which is critical for both identification and legal admissibility.
DNA Sampling and Analysis
Due to extreme heat exposure, forensic experts are prioritizing:
- Teeth, which protect DNA within enamel and dentin
- Bone marrow, known for better DNA preservation in fire cases
- Short-amplicon STR and mitochondrial DNA techniques for degraded samples
Reference samples from relatives are being matched through kinship analysis to establish identities with statistical certainty.
Challenges Faced by Forensic Teams
- Severely degraded DNA due to prolonged high temperatures
- Commingling of remains from multiple victims
- High workload pressure on state forensic laboratories
- Extended turnaround times for DNA profiling and confirmation
Impact on Families
Families of the victims have expressed anguish over delays in identification and handover of remains. Authorities note that such delays are unavoidable in mass-fatality incidents where scientific rigor is essential to prevent misidentification.
Why does DNA identification take time?
In fire-related disasters, DNA is often fragmented or chemically damaged. Multiple rounds of extraction, amplification, and comparison may be required, especially when reference samples are limited or when remains are commingled.
Why This Case Matters
The Nazirabad fire highlights the growing importance of forensic preparedness for mass-fatality incidents in India. Such events test laboratory capacity, disaster victim identification (DVI) protocols, and inter-agency coordination.
Forensic experts believe lessons from this incident should inform future investments in DNA infrastructure, rapid response teams, and standardized SOPs for large-scale disasters.
Conclusion
As forensic identification continues, authorities emphasize accuracy over speed. Each confirmed identification not only enables legal closure but also provides grieving families the dignity of certainty. The Nazirabad warehouse fire stands as a stark reminder of the critical role forensic science plays when tragedy strikes.
