When someone goes missing, one of the biggest challenges can be establishing their identity when they are eventually located or when unidentified remains are recovered. In some cases, DNA can provide information that other identification methods cannot.
Even when a direct DNA sample from the missing person is unavailable, samples from biological relatives or certain personal belongings may provide valuable genetic information for comparison.
At Concurrent Technologies & Services (CTS), DNA and forensic services include Missing Persons Identification, Human Remains Identification and different forms of relationship DNA testing that can support human identification.
How Can DNA Help Identify a Missing Person?
DNA carries genetic information inherited from our biological parents. This makes it possible not only to develop an individual DNA profile but also to compare DNA between biological relatives.
In a missing-person case, there are generally two useful approaches: comparing unidentified DNA with a sample believed to come directly from the missing person or comparing it with DNA from biological relatives.
According to INTERPOL, DNA can play an important role in identifying missing persons and victims of disasters when suitable samples are available for comparison.
What If There Is No DNA Sample From the Missing Person?
This is a common question. A missing person may never have had DNA collected before their disappearance, but that does not necessarily mean DNA comparison is impossible.
Depending on the circumstances, investigators may consider personal belongings believed to have been used by that individual. For example, an item such as a toothbrush may contain biological material that could potentially provide a DNA profile.
CTS’s Human Remains Identification service explains that reference samples may come from personal items used by an individual or from their biological relatives.
Personal items must be assessed carefully because an object may have been handled or used by more than one person. The history and condition of the item therefore matter when determining whether it is suitable for forensic DNA analysis.
How Can Family Members Help?
When no suitable direct sample is available, biological relatives may provide family reference DNA samples.
Parents and children share predictable portions of their DNA, while siblings and other relatives also share genetic information. Scientists can use these patterns to evaluate whether an unidentified DNA profile is consistent with a particular family.
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) provides information about the use of family reference samples in missing-person identification.
Depending on which relatives are available, different types of testing may be considered. CTS offers relationship testing, DNA reconstruction, sibling, grandparent, male-lineage and female-lineage testing, among other DNA services.
What Is DNA Reconstruction?
DNA reconstruction can be useful when the person who would normally be tested is unavailable.
Instead of testing that individual directly, DNA from close biological relatives can be examined to help evaluate a family relationship. The relatives selected for testing depend on the family structure and the question that needs to be answered.
This same principle helps explain why DNA from relatives can be valuable in certain missing-person and human-identification cases: biological family members carry portions of shared genetic information.
Can DNA Be Used to Identify Human Remains?
Yes. DNA can be especially useful when traditional methods of identification are unavailable or inconclusive.
CTS provides Human Remains Identification using forensic DNA analysis. When sufficient DNA can be recovered, biological material from remains can be profiled and compared with appropriate reference samples.
Those reference samples may come from biological relatives or suitable personal items associated with the person believed to be missing.
This can be particularly valuable when remains are fragmented, decomposed or otherwise difficult to identify through visual examination, fingerprints or other conventional methods.
What Does the DNA Comparison Process Involve?
The exact process depends on the samples and circumstances of the case, but forensic DNA identification generally begins by obtaining usable DNA from the available biological material.
A DNA profile is then developed and compared with the available reference information. When relatives are being tested, scientists examine the genetic information shared between the profiles and use appropriate statistical methods to evaluate the proposed biological relationship.
The result must be interpreted within the circumstances of the case rather than simply treating any genetic similarity as proof of identity.
Why Proper DNA Sample Collection Matters
The quality and handling of a DNA sample can affect the testing process. For forensic or legal applications, maintaining appropriate collection procedures and chain of custody can be particularly important.
CTS provides several options for DNA sample collection. Depending on the type and purpose of testing, samples may be collected at CTS or through an appropriate collection location.
You can find available locations on the CTS Partner Centers & Pharmacies page.
DNA Identification After a Mass Disaster
DNA is also used in Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) following events such as fires, floods, aircraft accidents, building collapses and other incidents involving multiple casualties.
In these situations, identification may involve several forensic disciplines. INTERPOL’s Disaster Victim Identification guidance describes the use of methods including fingerprints, dental information and DNA during the identification process.
DNA comparisons may involve samples from relatives or suitable personal items when direct reference information is unavailable.
Can DNA Solve Every Missing-Person Case?
DNA can be a powerful identification tool, but successful analysis depends on the evidence available.
Important factors can include:
- Whether suitable biological material is available
- The amount and quality of DNA recovered
- Whether the sample has degraded or become contaminated
- The availability of appropriate family or direct reference samples
- The biological relationships of participating relatives
DNA may also be considered alongside other information such as fingerprints, dental records, medical information and investigative evidence.
Missing Person and Human Identification DNA Testing at CTS
Concurrent Technologies & Services (CTS) provides DNA testing and forensic services for individuals, families, legal professionals, government organizations and other clients in Nigeria and across Africa.
CTS services include Missing Persons Identification, Human Remains Identification, Disaster Victim Identification and relationship DNA testing.
If you are dealing with a situation involving a missing person, unidentified remains or the need to establish a biological relationship, contact CTS before collecting or submitting samples so the team can advise you on the appropriate testing and collection process.
Need help with DNA or forensic testing?
Call or WhatsApp: +234 703 909 5441
Email: cts@ctsng.com
You can also book a DNA testing appointment or find a convenient DNA Collection Center or Partner Pharmacy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can DNA identify a missing person without a direct DNA sample?
Potentially, yes. Depending on the circumstances, DNA from suitable personal belongings or biological relatives may provide reference information that can be compared with unidentified DNA.
Which family members can provide DNA for a missing-person case?
Parents and children can be particularly informative, while siblings and other biological relatives may also provide useful genetic information. The best relatives to test depend on the family structure and circumstances of the case.
Can a toothbrush be used for DNA identification?
A toothbrush may contain biological material from its user and could potentially provide DNA for comparison. However, its suitability depends on factors such as who used or handled it, its condition and possible contamination.
Can DNA identify decomposed human remains?
DNA may sometimes be recovered from degraded or decomposed remains. Whether an informative DNA profile can be obtained depends on the condition of the biological material and the type of analysis required.
Where can I get a DNA sample collected for CTS?
CTS provides DNA collection through its facilities and collection network. The appropriate collection procedure depends on the type and purpose of the test, particularly when testing is required for legal or forensic use.