BANGKOK, Nov 14 — Collection of DNA samples from those in prison and those jailed in relation to narcotics trafficking could lead to more information on drug trafficking networks in the country, said Dr Porntip Rojanasunan, director-general of the Central Institute of Forensic Science.
Admitting that collecting DNA samples from every prisoner is very difficult because the number of prisoners is huge, Dr Porntip said the collection plan would first start from those when they first start walking into the prison and those convicted of drug charges.
This would help authorities in obtaining more information on drug trafficking networks and simultaneously assist them in drug suppression, she said.
Dr Porntip said the institute would start a programme on hilltribe nationality identification in Chiang Mai’s Mae Ai district December 17-19.
The programme is jointly conducted by the Justice and the Interior ministries.
Initially, nationality identification will be conducted on 300 children plus their parents, she said, adding that there are still more than 1,000 ethnic minorityhilltribe persons left awaiting the nationality identification process.
Majority of these people live along the border and many of them are believed to be involved in drug trafficking, said Dr Porntiip.
The process will help officials in overseeing them from staying away from narcotics and from forest destruction.
