Shanakht: providing closure in times of grief

Degree

Master of Science in Journalism

Faculty / School

School of Economics and Social Sciences (SESS)

Supervisor

Muhammad Raheel Shakeel

Second Supervisor

Amber Rahim Shamsi, Director, Centre for Excellence in Journalism (CEJ), Institute of Business Administration (IBA)

Project Type

MSJ Capstone

Keywords

Shanakht, unconscious identification, unknown dead bodies, DNA, Biometric, Road Traffic Accident, Edhi, CPLC, NADRA, Crime

Abstract / Summary

In this 10-minute and 47-second video documentary, I delved deep into the Shanakht project – an initiative launched in 2015 by the Citizens Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) in collaboration with NADRA (National Database & Registration Authority) and the Edhi Foundation. The project’s goal is to identify unclaimed dead bodies and inform their families. Over time, it expanded to include the Chhipa Foundation and the Sindh Forensic DNA & Serology Lab. Now, it also identifies unconscious patients and is useful in mass disaster cases.

Shanakht uses two methods for identification. The first and most used is the biometric system – where fingerprints are taken from the deceased or unconscious patients and sent to NADRA to get details. Once they receive the identity and details of the victim, CPLC staff contacts the family to come, identify, and claim the body. The second and more recent method is DNA analysis – usually done on decomposed or damaged bodies where fingerprints cannot be taken.

This story is newsworthy because it holds strong human interest, providing emotional closure to families of the deceased and contributing to a reduction in unidentified road traffic fatalities. Raising awareness of this initiative is essential to help families locate missing loved ones more effectively. While writing this abstract, more than 1,500 people had learned about Shanakht through this documentary.

For documentary production, I independently managed everything from pre-production to post-production. During pre-production, I conducted in-depth research, prepared interview questions, contacted relevant stakeholders, and created a storyboard. To familiarise myself with the primary location – Edhi Morgue at Sohrab Goth, a chaotic and sensitive space – I did a detailed recce of the site.

After that, for production, I single-handedly coordinated with the talking heads, conducted their interviews, and shot B-roll footage while ensuring the proper functioning of technical equipment, including camera and microphone. In post-production, I wrote the script, selected key clips, downloaded stock footage, obtained the latest data from CPLC, and edited the final video using Adobe Premiere Pro.

In short, the documentary provides a holistic view of the Shanakht project, featuring interviews from victims' family member, the Shanakht Project Head, the Edhi Foundation Head, an Edhi ambulance driver, and the Director of the Sindh Forensic DNA & Serology Lab (SFDL). I also reached out to Police Surgeon Dr. Sumaiyya Syed for an interview, but she was unavailable at the time due to travel commitments.

Media Format

.mp4

Run Time

10:47

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