MIAs??

Thank you Kai, I know you're a medical person.

Can you advise, if you have 2 bones from different families, can you tell which family each bone belongs to through DNA of cousins? In other words, if it is not possible to say positively that bone (a) comes from someone who is a cousin of person (b), is it possible to say that bone (x) could not possibly come from the same family as person (b)?

And, in respect of the case I have mentioned, would DNA from the bone of the man's mother or grandmother be usably to make the identification?

No.9

 

Yes, it is possible.

If there is any DNA left in the bone tissue it is possible. However, the possibility of identification is harder when the sample is very old, or the people in question are distant relatives.

There are some DNA sequences which are typical for some families, and these are used in identification for relationship. But this is not 100%, as the DNA comes 50% from both parents and thus some sequences get deleted and some diluted.But it is possible, as I saw a film on some fossiled skeleton in England, some 700 years old I think, and they did the screening for people in the village, and actually found a person who was related to the man who had died 700 years ago....

But the answer is yes.

[ 20. February 2004, 03:24 AM: Message edited by: Kai-Petri ]

 

Thank you again Kai, I've been trying to think laterally to come up with permutations which will help. Trying to use the 100% negative principal to eliminate was is not a connection helps increase the possibilities of what could be - if that makes sense?

I've been trying to talk to a leading authority here in Britain but it's not easy as she's very well ring-fenced. But, nobody's untouchable, I just don't want to frighten her into refusing to help.

No.9

 

Most of the Vietnam MIAs, if still alive, would be held in Laos, Cambodia and other neighbouring countries.
See also www.pow/mia.com
and www.operationjustcause.com

"BRING 'EM HOME, OR SEND US BACK"