• B T Shah
• S R Khairkar
• C.U. Chavan,
• S A Shinde
• V. R. Rathod,S. V.Ghumatkar

Short tandem repeat (STR) typing continues to be the primary workhorse in forensic DNA profiling. Therefore, the present review discusses the prominent role of STR marker in criminal justice system. All over the world, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) profiling provides evidence that may be used to convict criminals, as an irrefutable proof of wrongful convictions, invaluable links to the actual perpetrators of crimes, and could also deter some offenders from committing more serious offences. Clearly, DNA profiling tools have also aided forensic scientists to re- evaluate old cases that were considered closed as a result of inadequate evidence 1. Use of Short Tandem repeats in forensic casework has become an important tool to reach the real culprit in criminal cases like rape, murder, robbery etc. Most of the time due to the lack of circumstantial evidence judicial system becomes a strong benefit to the accused. In Maharashtra day by day rate of heinous crimes and lot of rape crimes have increased. In rape case medical examination sampling by medical officer play an important role to avoid the loss of trace biological evidence. In sexual offences, specifically semen on victim‟s clothes or biological samples prove involvement of accused in the crime. But in some sexual offence cases where contraceptive devices are used or semen stains are not detected during investigation, the victim‟s blood or body fluid on the accused‟s garments or vice versa helps to prove the rape crime. As per Railway ministry records, about 20 percent of the 2.3 crore people who travel daily by Indian railways are women 2. Several incidents of crime against women in trains and railway premises have been recorded in the past decades. In order to mitigate this, Indian Railways has come up with some steps, said an official statement issued by the Ministry of Railways. Women passengers are especially vulnerable in long-distance trains. We need well-armed police in the bogies. Besides pulling chains, there is a need for alarms that can be connected straight to train drivers‟ cabin and can ring in the train itself. In Oct 2021 a 20-year-old women was molested by eight men in the running train, four people have been arrested. Taking advantage of the darkness, the dacoits robbed, but even more shamefully assaulted women. The molestation incident took place when the express train was running between Igatpuri and Kasara, Maharashtra around 8 pm on Friday, according to Government Railway Police (GRP). “The train had just left from the Igatpuri station and was slowing down before entering a tunnel, when the accused boarded the sleeper bogie. They were armed with knives and leather belts, and started threatening the passengers,” said a GRP officer, who did not want to be identified. The accused then allegedly dragged the survivor to a corner and molested her, the officer said. According to report, there were eight men who started behaving aggressively on the train and they looked like they were under the influence of alcohol or some drug. The accused persons had weapons like fighters and knives, which they used to threaten and rob passengers. “The victim has been taken for a medical examination and Police have booked the four accused under sections 395 (dacoity), 397 (robbery or dacoity), 376(D) , 354 (assault or use of criminal force to any woman, intending to outrage her modesty), 354(B) (assault or use of criminal force to any woman or abetment of such act with the intention of disrobing or compelling her to be naked of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and the Railways Act. In the instant case, victim woman‟s husband (Injured 1) and a witness (Injured 2) blood got transferred on accused clothes and seized weapons (Fighters) from Accused. As the DNA profiling proved their involvement in the crime. Introduction Recently sexual offences against women and number of minor victims have been increased day by day. Census data from 2011 shows that in India 472 million children are below age of eighteen and out of them 225 million are girls 3. Due to pressure and lack of knowledge, these children fear to talk about atrocious crime. India has taken lot of precautions since the „Nirbhaya‟ case happened and made legal provision of new act “Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act 2012 (POCSO Act 2012)” and continuously monitoring these cases 4 . It is difficult to identify a criminal just by examining the trace of blood on crime scene and the garments. In sexual offences, a specifically biological fluid on victim‟s clothes proves involvement of accused in the crime. But in some cases where contraceptive devices are used or semen stains are not detected during investigation, the victim‟s blood or body fluid on the accused‟s garments helps to prove the crime. Here, DNA profiling technique has created wonders from the time it has been invented. Once the DNA technique proves involvement of the accused, there is provision of „Protection of Children from Sexual Offences‟ (POCSO) Act 2012 in the court to effectively address the heinous crimes 5. While performing forensic analysis of exhibits seized in sexual offences, though semen is absent in medical samples like vaginal swab, pubic hair or on her clothes, if blood of accused is found on her exhibits, it can play a vital evidence to prove the crime. DNA profiling in forensic science is on the analysis of short tandem repeat (STR) loci using PCR. It is the technique of choice for the national strategy to create criminal intelligence databases. Apart from the increased sensitivity inherent with any PCR technique, with STRs there is also the advantage of definitive allelic identification. This is a consequence of lower measurement errors associated with the use of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to detect DNA fragments ranging between 200-400 bp in size 6-8 .

STR TYPING: BIOLOGICAL PROBE FOR CONVICTION OF DACOITY & SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE IN RUNNING TRAIN

"STR TYPING: BIOLOGICAL PROBE FOR CONVICTION OF DACOITY & SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE IN RUNNING TRAIN", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.9, Issue 12, page no.g177-g185, December-2022, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2212629.pdf

"STR TYPING: BIOLOGICAL PROBE FOR CONVICTION OF DACOITY & SEXUAL ASSAULT CASE IN RUNNING TRAIN", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.9, Issue 12, page no. ppg177-g185, December-2022, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR2212629.pdf