Kinship-based DNA identification in the PK-8303 Karachi plane crash

On May 22, 2020, Pakistan International Airlines flight PK-8303 crashed in Karachi, resulting in 97 fatalities. Many victims' remains were burned, fragmented, or commingled, making visual or fingerprint identification impossible. A rapid and reliable Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) process was initiated, integrating advanced forensic genetic techniques with kinship analysis to meet urgent humanitarian, cultural, and legal needs. Biological samples, including bone fragments, teeth, and soft tissue, were collected under strict chain-of-custody procedures. DNA was extracted using optimized protocols for degraded material, quantified via real-time PCR, and profiled with a high-sensitivity autosomal STR multiplex kit (GlobalFiler™). Y-STR and mitochondrial DNA sequencing were employed for cases where nuclear DNA was insufficient. Reference samples from 92 families were analyzed, and kinship likelihood ratios were calculated using dedicated forensic software. Within 16 days, complete identifications were made for 96 victims, with partial matches supporting the remaining case. The combined application of sensitive STR systems, lineage markers, and probabilistic kinship analysis significantly improved recovery rates from compromised remains and reduced turnaround times compared to standard DVI workflows. This case demonstrates how technological advances in forensic genetics can meet the humanitarian imperative of victim identification in mass disasters while ensuring legally robust outcomes.