DNA testing has become a valuable tool in identifying missing persons. Using DNA samples from family members or personal effects of the missing person, a DNA test from dnacentre can be done to check if there is any match with other DNA samples in databases or from other family members. This technology has proven to be a critical resource in reuniting families with missing loved ones, particularly where traditional methods have been unsuccessful. The technique used in this type of analysis is similar to paternity testing. In the same way that DNA can show whether a man is the father of a child, it can show other family links. For example, DNA can establish connections between uncles and nephews, grandparents and grandchildren, between siblings and even discover whether two people share the same father or mother.

Common methods of DNA collection for missing person cases

There are several common methods of DNA collection for missing person cases. One of the most common is buccal swabbing, which involves taking a sample of cells from the inside of the cheek using a cotton swab. This non-invasive and painless method makes it suitable for individuals of all ages. Another method is collecting hair samples, which can be used to extract DNA from the hair follicle. This procedure can be helpful in cases where buccal swabbing is not possible, such as when the individual is deceased. Teeth and bone fragments can also be used to collect DNA, as they contain pulp that can be used to extract genetic material. Additionally, forensic scientists can extract DNA from personal items such as clothing, toothbrushes, and razors that the missing person may have used.

Case studies

There have been many cases where DNA testing has successfully identified missing persons. One such case is the identification of the victims of the infamous serial killer John Wayne Gacy. In 2011, the Cook County Sheriff’s Department exhumed the remains of eight unidentified victims buried in Gacy’s crawl space in the 1970s. The investigators collected DNA samples from the remains and compared them to those from family members of missing individuals. This led to the identification of six of the eight victims, providing closure to their families after decades of uncertainty. In another case, DNA testing was used to identify the remains of a young girl found dead in a wooded area in New Hampshire in 1985. It wasn’t until 2019 that she was finally identified as Marlyse Elizabeth Honeychurch, who had been reported missing by her family in California in 1983.