[vc_row][vc_column][karma_builder_heading animate=”animate_none” heading_text=”DNA Testing Cremated Remains” sub_heading_color=”#555555″ heading_type=”h1″ heading_style=”none”][/karma_builder_heading][vc_single_image image=”54517″ img_size=”1250×795″][vc_column_text]According to and article published in Institute of Legal Medicine, Christian-Albrechts-Universita ̈t Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Str. 12, 24105 Kiel, Germany, DNA extraction of the charred remains produce unreliable results. Thus the DNA samples are not suitable for forensic purposes such as DNA testing including paternity.
Basically, when cremation is performed, DNA will be destroyed. The temperatures used for cremation are simply too high to permit the survival of any DNA. Incomplete cremation occurs when bones are not reduced to ashes. This still poses a problem from a DNA collection standpoint as heating can separate the proteins of DNA rendering testing unpredictable and thus not reliable.
The best bet for post-mortem DNA testing is to have the coroner provide a blood spot card or another non-standard DNA sample such as hair with the root attached, fingernails including skin or tissue a tissue sample. Non-standard DNA samples can take a few days longer at the testing lab, but they are very accurate tests.
If a DNA sample from the deceased is not available, then family members of the deceased can be tested, but usually more than one relative will need to test for a conclusive result. The most common family relationship DNA tests can include the following people:
- Parents to the deceased
- Acknowledged children to the deceased
- Siblings to the deceased
Additionally, DNA can be obtained from exhuming the body if all else fails. This can be quite costly though.
If you have any questions pertaining post-mortem DNA tests or family relationship DNA tests, please call us at 1-800-535-5198. We can provide you with the information we will need and the steps to get post-mortem DNA testing started. Or we can help you decide what family members are best for a special family relationship DNA test.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]