Justice permanent secretary, Kittipong Kityarak co-signed has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU)between the ministry and the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for a joint effort to build the first DNA database in Thailand.
The ministry
aims to collect DNA samples from 100,000 volunteer prisoners over three 3
years, Mr. Kittipong said on Monday.
Under the
agreement, FBI Laboratory director Chris Hassell will help the Justice
Ministry with the process of collecting and collating DNA samples.
Mr Kittipong
said the DNA database will be kept and used by the Forensic Science Department
to help solve crimes and track down suspects. The Royal Thai Police
Office will also be able to access the database.
He said the
planned database would help bring suspects of violent crimes to justice, and at
the same time help protect citizens from falling victim to criminals.
The justice
permanent secretary stressed that the DNA database would play an important role
in solving crime.
Currently, 44
countries -- including China, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and
Japan -- have passed legislation allowing the use of their DNA databases, he
said.
Mr.Kittipong
said Thailand would use CODIS DNA, software designed by the FBI
and currently being used in 39 countries.
It could be
used to match DNA samples taken from a crime scene with the DNA database.
Under the
agreement, Thailand would be the 41st country to introduce use of the
analytical software.
Dr Porntip
Rochanasunan, head of the forensics department, said the database could also be
used in thje prevention of human trafficking and in solving
disappearance cases.
She said
installation of the CODIS DNA software would begin right away.
However, it
would take about six months to fully implement. The department expected to
begin using the process by mid-2013.
(bangkokpost.com)