It all started when I read about the mystery of the “Unknown Child” who drowned in the Titanic. In 1912, a small child, wearing a petticoat, frock, socks and leather shoes, was found among the wreckage of the Titanic and buried in Nova Scotia. The boy became known as The Unknown Child, and a symbol for all 53 children who died.
Nothing was left in the grave of the child except three little teeth, and clues that lead to two possible identities: 13-month old Eino Panula of Finland, and 19-month old Sidney Goodwin of England. So the U.S. U.S. Armed …read more

DNA testing on the deceased is hard enough, but on 3,000 year-old mummies?!
But that’s exactly what Egypt hopes to do with its most famous mummy King Tutankhamun and the two fetuses found in his tomb. After ten years of refusal, Egypt’s chief of antiquities Zahi Hawass finally allowed DNA tests to discover the lineage of King Tut. King Tut only lived for 19 years in ancient Egypt and reigned for nine years, but he became famous for the mysteries surrounding his life and abrupt death. His discovery in 1922 was a magnificent surprise. His secret tomb remained untouched by thieves, …read more

Using DNA to identify someone’s identity is no longer a new science. DNA forensics, as the science is called, is extensively being used to establish paternity and family relationships, potential suspects and/or victims, and to exonerate persons accused of crimes. DNA fingerprints were used to identify the victims of September 11 and Hurricane Katrina.
Today’s news at The National Post shares another example of the use of DNA testing – identifying soldiers of the past world wars at the place where they were killed.
According to the report, new constructions in Western Europe are unearthing the skeletal remains of troops killed …read more