With equipment imported from the UK and the US, the center aims to provide support to police, prosecutors and courts in criminal cases.

It also will collect and reserve genetic samples to help the Institute for Criminal Science Investigation build an archive of national criminals’ genes, the newswire said.

The center will conduct DNA tests upon request for people seeking lost family members, and for the remains of soldiers who were lost during war, as well, the department said.

The department under the Ministry of Public Security previously opened two DNA testing centers in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.