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There has been a marked increase in demand for DNA testing of deceased persons since easyDNA launched their advanced DNA testing services earlier this year.
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA 27/02/2009: Since the launch of its Advanced Forensic DNA Testing Services, the international DNA testing firm easyDNA has experienced a massive increase in inquiries for testing samples taken from the deceased. These requests have been from people wanting to prove a relationship to the deceased, generally for inheritance purposes. The problem with such samples is that they can be either degraded or decomposed, or very small, and standard analytical and DNA extraction techniques are not good enough. Now, however, easyDNA has more sensitive and up to date equipment that can extract and concentrate the DNA from samples such as these for accurate analysis.
Because there are legal implications involved in the results, a strict chain of custody of the samples is very important, since without it the results will have no legal validity. Samples taken from the deceased can include fingernail clippings and hair samples, all of which have to be notarized and carefully documented and witnessed. There must also be someone present who can verify that the samples are taken from the relevant person. Where exhumation is needed, a forensic pathologist is usually advocated to collect the samples which will require advanced forensic testing.
According to International Director of Sales and Marketing, Andrew Alexander, "Recent easyDNA cases have involved disputes with claims being made by alleged relatives against an estate for a share of an inheritance. Such claims can only be established by comparing the DNA of the alleged relative with that of the deceased, and for that advanced DNA testing is needed. Our advanced laboratories have the equipment to extract viable DNA from very old or degraded samples from the deceased and compare that with the DNA profile of the relative." |
