The Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) on Wednesday said it collected DNA from a Muslim infant in Pattani on Saturday to help catch the baby’s father, a man accused of violence in the Far South for whom they have no DNA sample.
Col Yutthanam Phetmuang, deputy spokesman of Isoc's southern forward command, explained the rationale for testing the offspring of insurgency suspect Seree Waemanu following complaints about the procedure.
The child shares half the DNA signature of its father and samples could be used to tie Mr Seree to various crimes, authorities said.
The controversial test occurred after security officials searched a house in Ban Don Rak village in Pattani's Nong Chik district where they believed the 30-year-old suspect was hiding. Mr Seree's wife, Somareeya Mali, and two other adults were taken to the Nong Chik police station for interrogation.
There, Col Yutthanam said, authorities collected fingerprints and DNA samples from all the detainees and everyone signed consent forms. In addition, a community leader witnessed the process.
The DNA collection was very important because authorities do not have a DNA sample for Mr Seree and his child's profile could help in placing him at the scene of violent incidents, Col Yutthanam said.
Mr Seree is a native of Pak Bang sub-district in Thepha district of Songkhla. He is wanted on arrest warrants in 12 cases and is suspected of operating an insurgency cell in Thepha district of Songkhla and Khok Pho district of Pattani.
Among those incidents is the bombing the Lee Gardens Plaza Hotel in Songkhla's Hat Yai district on March 31, 2012 which left five dead and hundreds injured, Col Yutthanam said.
Mr Seree also is wanted for allegedly firing a machine gun at a grocery store in Thepha on Nov 1, 2014, killing three people and wounding eight.
