When all other means have been exhausted, DNA analysis may be used to assist in the identification of victims.  This analysis is called Kinship DNA analysis, which is much more complicated than the kind of DNA anlaysis performed in other investigations.   Unlike criminal investigations, for example, where the goal is to get an exact match between DNA obtained as evidence and DNA obtained from a suspect, kinship analysis will never yield a direct “match.” 

In kinship DNA analysis, family members contribute DNA samples called family reference samples.  These samples are analyzed and compared with samples taken from the unidentified deceased.  Unlike criminal investigations, profiles from victim samples will not directly match profiles from family members, so the lab will develop a family pedigree (a genetic family tree) based on the DNA profiles of the family members who have provided samples.

The analysis will yield an estimate of the probability of a relationship, not the probability of a match.  Many factors go into this statistical calculation, and the usefulness of the results is directly linked to the number of available close relatives.  If there are no available close relatives, more advanced DNA testing may be needed, such as mitochondrial testing.

Because Kinship DNA Analysis is very different from DNA analysis done in criminal investigations, it takes quite a bit longer to get definitive results. Depending on the relationship between the missing person and the family members who provided samples, the testing and analysis could take months.

The exact period of time can’t be stated due to the complicated analysis that must be done in order to reach a level of certainty for a probable positive identification. Also, some of the more complicated testing takes a lot longer than the initial tests. For example, if there are no available close relatives, more advanced DNA testing, such as mitochondrial testing, has to be done. This type of testing can take a period of months to complete.

Be assured that the State of Louisiana is working as fast as possible to get the DNA testing completed and to identify as many missing loved ones as possible.

The State of Louisiana received funding for DNA testing from the Federal government in December, and DNA testing has already begun. The State Department of Health & Hospitals (DHH) and the Louisiana State Police have entered into a Cooperative Agreement for the State Police Crime Laboratory to provide technical oversight and management of the DNA Identification project.

With the help of the State Police Crime Laboratory, DHH is finalizing contracts with various companies that have particular areas of expertise in DNA kinship analysis. The Find Family National Call Center has continued to collect family reference samples either on-site at the Find Family National Call Center or at a location anywhere in the world convenient to the family. For example, we have already collected samples from several soldiers in the Middle East. If you want to provide a DNA sample, call the Find Family National Call Center at 1-866-326-9393 to schedule an appointment.

The Find Family National Call Center is the national collection point for information on separated family members or those who may have perished in Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.  The center seeks to reunify families with their loved ones or help them locate and recover their loved ones’ remains. The Call Center is a joint effort between the State of Louisiana, FEMA, its National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) and Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team branches, and the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.

The Center was established using best practices from a variety of global disasters and emergencies, including the 9-11 attacks, recent earthquakes and tsunamis, and it includes forensic and mortuary experts, chaplains, mental health and other professionals who can help families with their search. 
 
Since it opened on September 7, the Call Center has received more than 10,000 reports of missing persons and has closed more than 5,400 cases.

Callers to the FFNCC are asked to provide any available information about their loved ones, including a physical description, doctors’ and dentists’ names, a medical history, dental work, joint replacements and unique characteristics such as tattoos, scars or birthmarks. Dental records can be especially valuable in identifying the deceased. If or when dental records are needed, family members may be asked for assistance in identifying the dentist of their loved one. Health professionals, staff and volunteers at the call center are trained to provide sensitive, confidential assistance. With this information, the Call Center can:

• Coordinate with other organizations. The Center works with other organizations, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Salvation Army, Louisiana Nursing Home Association and others to find missing persons.
  
• Search databases.  The Center has access to sophisticated software capable of performing complex matching of data through several databases to help locate and identify missing individuals and to reunite them with family.
  
• Gather forensic information.  The Center works closely with the Victim Identification Center at Carville to identify the remains of those who died during Hurricanes Katrina and Rita but have not been identified. Remains may be identified using fingerprints, x-rays and dental records. DNA analysis may also be used when all other means are exhausted.

The basic primary mission of DMORT is to cross-reference all of the ante-mortem (pre death) and post-mortem (after death) data in an effort to establish as much identifying information as possible on the victims. Ante-mortem data is that which is collected by friends and family members about thier loved one. Post-mortem data is that which is collected by morgue staff.

All of the identifying information assembled by DMORT is then made available to the State Medical Examiner, who establishes the standards for what constitutes “positive ID” sufficient to authorize release of the bodies to families.

To date, DMORT has performed forensic examinations on more than 900 bodies of hurricane victims. At the peak, as many as 97 storm victims were examined in one day. There is no backlog in the DMORT operation.

In the case of Hurricane Katrina, per the state’s request for federal assistance, Dr. Cataldie is supported by DMORT in two ways: (1) DMORT sets up and operates the Disaster Portable Morgue Unit (DPMU) in Carville and (2) coordinates the Find Family National Call Center (1-866-326-9393).

The purpose of the DPMU is to provide the facilities to perform extensive forensic examinations of the bodies of the victims. This unit also gathers as much post-mortem (after death) identifying information as possible through processes that include assessment, pathology, anthropology, fingerprints, DNA, full-body x-ray, dental x-rays and collection/documentation of personal effects. DMORT also provides the state with cold storage of human remains until release to families or eventual interment under a state burial plan.

The function of the Call Center is to gather detailed ante-mortem (pre death) information about victims from family members. Information such as age, medical history and identifying marks such as scars, tattoos, surgical implants, dental work or other information is gathered about the victims to assist in the process of identification.

Bodies are not released until a definite identification has been made. The local parish coroner is responsible for the release of all human remains.

FEMA and DMORT have absolutely no role in determining when a body is released to the family, but they do assist in the process.