Mumbai: A team of forensic experts from KEM Hospital was put to work as two of the four bodies found in the Crystal Tower fire were completely charred. While Ashok Sampat’s body was identified with the help of business cards in his partly-burnt pocket, belt buckle, and a sharp canine tooth, Sajive Nair was identified with the help of a gold chain locket and his watch.
Dr. Ravindra Deokar from the hospital’s forensic department said the bodies of Sampat and Nair were found in the lift. “It would be that a ball of flame came on to them when the door of the lift opened,” Dr. Deokar said, adding in Sampat’s case, there was a small half-burnt portion near the hip.
Besides the two bodies, six small charred body parts were taken to the forensic department. “The two bodies had some parts missing. We have sent the parts for DNA examination at the forensic science laboratory in Kalina,” Dr. Deokar said.