Key facts
- A forensic scientist recalled the trauma of identifying victims from the AI-171 crash one year ago.
- The crash on June 12, 2025, killed 241 passengers and 19 people on the ground.
- Forensic teams identified 142 victims through DNA analysis despite severely compromised biological samples.
- Digital devices recovered from the wreckage were meticulously rebuilt to retrieve family memories.
- The experience highlighted the importance of coordination in mass casualty events.
One year after the AI-171 aircraft crash that killed 241 passengers and 19 people on the ground, H P Sanghvi, director of the Gujarat Directorate of Forensic Sciences, has recalled the harrowing experience of identifying the victims. The London-bound Dreamliner crashed seconds after taking off from Ahmedabad on June 12, 2025, leaving only one survivor and many bodies charred beyond recognition.
Sanghvi and his 38-member team faced the monumental task of sifting through over 180 severely compromised biological samples. Despite the extreme heat and burning, the team successfully generated 100 DNA profiles within the first 100 hours and identified 142 victims within 15 days. They utilized a delicate, 30-step technical process to isolate usable DNA from burned tissue, often having to restart due to destroyed cellular structures. Rapid DNA technology was employed for quicker identification when immediate kin were available for comparison.
In parallel, the lab's cyber forensics unit worked on over 200 broken electronic devices recovered from the wreckage. They meticulously rebuilt digital files, including photos and videos, to return these final memories to the grieving families. The operation was round-the-clock, with scientists making personal sacrifices, such as a new mother taking only an hour off to feed her baby before returning to the lab.
Sanghvi noted that a key lesson from the disaster was the importance of proper coordination between medical personnel and the forensics team in situ for rapid sampling and reporting. The experience left lasting scars on the scientists who helped families cope with the aftermath.