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