China Opts for DNA Data Bank to Reunite Kidnapped Children With Their Families

As abductions continue at an alarming level, the Chinese authorities have chosen to set up a national DNA databank to help reunite the abducted children with their families.

As abductions continue at an alarming level, the Chinese authorities have chosen to set up a national DNA databank to help reunite the abducted children with their families. The data bank was launched by the Ministry of Public Security on Wednesday.

About 3,000 child and women abduction cases are recorded and investigated by Chinese authorities annually, but some experts estimate that 10,000 to 20,000 Chinese women or children fall into the hands of kidnappers each year

About DNA Fingerprinting
DNA fingerprinting is a technique which helps forensic scientists and legal experts solve crimes, identity thefts, legal suits and terrorism cases.

The Public Security ministry has ordered all police units to record and investigate immediately reports of child abduction, and to take blood from the parents or children where possible. The tests will be done free of charge.

A ministry official said DNA tests would be conducted on five groups:

-- parents whose children are confirmed kidnapped;

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Early this month, the ministry launched its sixth nationwide campaign to deal with the rampant smuggling of women and children.

The ministry on Wednesday also issued a wanted list of 10 major suspects involved in abduction of women and children in China.

The list included descriptions of the six men and four women suspects and made public their identity card numbers and other personal information.

At least four of the suspects belong to China's ethnic minorities, such as the Miao, the Li, and the Dai nationalities, which usually dwell in the outlying areas of the country.

People who provide information leading the police to the arrest of the suspects would receive a reward, although the ministry gave no details on this, Xinhua reported.

Source-Medindia
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