| DNA Identity Testing Laboratory | | | | decedent, for the purpose of DNA testing. |
| Although it may seem outlandish at first thought, it is | | | | Recognizing the need to find a solution to this |
| becoming more common that questions of | | | | problem, the DNA Identity Testing Laboratory of |
| relationship surface at or around the passing of a | | | | Bio-Synthesis, Inc. underwent an experiment. Since it |
| relative. Many times, the issue is personal, that | | | | is widely known that after embalmment, the soft |
| perhaps a biological relationship was never established | | | | tissue of the body will not be adequate for DNA |
| with the now deceased relative, or was uncertain. In | | | | testing, the lab had to identify a unique source of |
| other situations, the issue may regard legal matters, | | | | DNA. The type of sample selected to perform the |
| such as inheritance of assets. Whatever the | | | | experiment was eyebrow hair. As opposed to hair |
| questions or reasons may be, DNA testing | | | | from the scalp, eyebrow hair tends to be thicker in |
| laboratories are experiencing a greater number of | | | | diameter and, therefore, has a more substantial root. |
| cases involving decedents. | | | | In nuclear DNA testing, any type of hair must have |
| So, then the question of how to determine the | | | | an intact root in order for nuclear DNA to be |
| relationship arises. Of course, DNA testing is the | | | | obtained. The selection of eyebrow hair over hair |
| answer, but what type of sample can be collected | | | | from the scalp was also due to the fact that many |
| after a person is deceased? In theory, any human | | | | hair products have been found to act as PCR |
| biological tissue, which contains nucleated cells, may | | | | (polymerase chain reaction) inhibitors, which can |
| be used for the purpose of DNA testing. However, | | | | prevent successful amplification of DNA (one of the |
| many factors may affect the viability of a sample. If | | | | steps in DNA testing). |
| it is decided that DNA testing is necessary and a | | | | The experiment involved eyebrow hair samples (with |
| deceased individual is to be a test participant, if at all | | | | roots) taken from 15 embalmed cadavers, ages 20 |
| possible, a DNA sample should be secured | | | | years to 75 years. The time that the samples were |
| immediately, at or around the time of death. | | | | taken after embalmment ranged from 8 to 24 hours. |
| Otherwise, it may then become more difficult to | | | | The result was that, from all samples, a full DNA |
| obtain a viable DNA sample. Unless the cause of | | | | profile was obtained. This is remarkable because, in |
| death is under investigation, most bodies will be | | | | many cases, non-standard, forensic samples yield only |
| released from a morgue to an undertaker, if opted, | | | | partial DNA profiles. However, in this experiment, |
| relatively quickly. Upon release to an undertaker, | | | | again, full profiles were obtained from every sample. |
| embalmment, if opted, will then take place rather | | | | Prior to this experiment, other experiments were |
| quickly, as well. The chemicals in embalming fluid | | | | performed with other types of samples, nail clippings |
| contaminate the tissues of the body. This poses a | | | | for instance, with inconsistent results. |
| problem if a DNA sample is to be collected from a | | | | |