DNA Identification of Indian Ocean Tsunami Victims

A year after the Indian Ocean tsunami, some victims still have not been identified. In countries such as Indonesia and Sri Lanka, expensive DNA techniques to match victims’ DNA with relatives’ will never be done.

In Thailand, where half of the almost 6,000 victims were foreigners, DNA analysis is being conducted by Interpol and laboratories such as the one in Sarajevo that works on victims from the 1992-95 war in Bosnia. Of 1,600 DNA samples, 665 were matched to known victims, most of them Thais, but also 39 Swedes, 20 Germans, 11 Finns, four Britons and two Americans.

Victims are identified via the following steps:

1. The Sarajevo lab extracts DNA from bone samples, a more difficult task than taking DNA from flesh.

2. The DNA is shipped them to Phuket, where experts on assignment from the laboratory as well as other forensic specialists try to match them with DNA collected from items such as toothbrushes that belonged to the missing people, as well as blood samples of relatives of the missing.

3. After vigorous vetting, a “reconciliation” team reviews the entire case file, and another panel overseen by a Thai police official signs off on the identification.

I wonder if DNA testing could be used to find missing children as well such as in the case of Baby 81. If a database of DNA from parents looking for children could be established, perhaps rescued children could be matched to their families. It’s a dream that I hope someone is trying to carry out.

NB: Evelyn, a tsunami survivor from California, is blogging from Thailand right now.

Toronto Star, December 26, 2005

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