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

 
Galileo’s tomb 
Over 360 years ago Galileo died living as a recluse in Italy, a convicted heretic.  His crime - he fell foul of the religious authorities of the day by arguing that the Earth revolved around the sun and not vice versa.  His theory was subsequently found to be perfectly true.
Italian researchers, led by Prof Paulo Galluzzi, want to exhume his body from the city’s Basilica of the Holy Cross, for DNA tests to find the cause of the blindness that afflicted him. They also want to confirm, through DNA profiling, whether the body that shares his grave is that of Galileo’s beloved daughter, Sister Marie Celeste.
The …read more