Surat: Investigators probing the murder of the 22-year-old computer engineer who was found murdered on the terrace of her house in Godavadi village on Aug 24 have collected 28,000 fingerprints from 1,400 people and conducted DNA profiling of 80 individuals, but have found no leads yet.Police and forensic science experts intensified the investigation after the case yielded little physical or digital evidence in its early stages. The focus shifted to forensic samples recovered from the house, particularly fingerprints and biological traces.Officials said two fingerprints recovered inside the residence did not match any family member. Investigators believe the victim may have let the killer into the house and spent some time with them before the killing. The assessment is based on the absence of any signs of forced entry.Seven two-member teams were deployed to collect fingerprints. Officers recorded two impressions of every finger from both hands of each person screened.“The impressions were sent for matching with the two unidentified prints to the Forensic Science Laboratory. The impression collection done manually matching is possible electronically,” said Rajesh Gadhiya, superintendent of police, Surat.After the fingerprints at the scene didn’t match relatives and people known to the victim, investigators expanded the exercise to include others who had regular contact with her. The screening was subsequently widened to villagers and others, taking the total number examined to 1,400.During the forensic examination, experts recovered a saliva sample from a plate believed to have been used to eat food on the night of the crime. The sample did not match the deceased. Investigators were able to extract a DNA profile from it.So far, the profile has not matched any family member, friend or suspect tested by police. DNA comparisons have been carried out on 80 individuals.“Police have done extensive work on the case and we exploring a few other fronts,” said Prem Vir Singh, inspector general of police, Surat.Officials said narcoanalysis and psychoanalysis of two suspects remained inconclusive. Investigators continue to pursue other leads as the month-old murder case remains undetected.
