DNA HOTLINE FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

1. Q) I submitted samples for DNA months ago. When I called the DNA hotline, I was told they don’t have any samples from me listed. What happened to them?

An enormous volume of samples were submitted to the Police Department and many other agencies, since Sept 11, 2001. Some of the samples examined had no extractable DNA. These samples were never listed.

2. Q) I called the hotline and was told that samples I submitted did not yield DNA. Why didn’t anyone contact me earlier to let me know that I needed to submit more samples?

The process of DNA extraction can take weeks and at times even months. Some samples required more than one attempt at extraction. It is only over the last few weeks that our office has been able gather data allowing us to tell most families whether or not we require more DNA. Time was also required to create the database and hotline phone bank we are using to book appointments with families.

3. Q) Remains were identified for my family member. Will you use DNA to identify any future remains?

Yes.

4. Q) Do you take DNA samples from the remains you find at the World Trade Center?

Yes. All recovered remains are sampled for DNA.

5. Q) If I submitted personal items for DNA will they be returned to me? What about personal items I submit now?

Every attempt will be made to return personal items after testing if the family so desires. Please bear in mind some items may be damaged or even consumed by testing, such as an article of clothing that must be cut.

6. Q) If I am bringing personal items to be submitted, how should I prepare them?

Please limit your handling of personal items as much as possible. Try not to touch articles with your bare hands. Place items in a paper bag and bring them to an OCME facility after you have made an appointment to do so.

7. Q) Can someone come to my house to collect DNA samples?

Yes. If you are homebound, arrangements can be made for a home visit.

8. Q) I submitted items and was told they didn’t yield. Why didn’t they?

There are many reasons a sample might not yield. Possibly, no DNA was present on the item. Also, time and environmental factors degrade the DNA on samples.

9. Q) Can I get a copy of my DNA profile that I submit?

No. The Medical Examiner cannot accommodate that request.

10. Q) After I submit the samples how long will it take to find my loved one?

There is no guarantee we will find your loved one. DNA identification requires matching a viable DNA profile from your loved one’s remains, to samples you provide. With a sample we have a chance to help you; without a sample we have no chance.

11. Q) How long is this going to go on for?

OCME is committed to continuing this effort until all possible methods of identification have been exhausted. It is safe to say we will continue this effort for at least one year.

12. Q) How does the passage of time impact the potential of identifying a lost loved one?

Initially the passage of time will make it more difficult to identify a lost loved one because any tissue and blood will decompose over time. However DNA can still be isolated from bone and the passage of time will have little impact of the condition of bone.

13. Q) What is the criteria for positively confirming the identification of a victim?

A victim may be identified by conventional means such as photo I.D., dental x-rays, chest x-rays, fingerprints, tatoos/body marks or personal effects. If conventional identification fails, a victim may be identified by DNA. The criteria for identification is having a confirmed ante-mortem sample (such as a fingerprint on file or dental x-ray from past dental visit) that can be compared to post-mortem samples from the victim. When possible we use two or more modalities to confirm an identification.

14 Q) Can you obtain useful information with a single strand of hair for positive identification? If the hair follicle were missing or damaged, can you still obtain enough DNA for analysis?

A single strand of hair with an intact root can be used for positive identification. If the root was missing or damaged then only mitochondrial DNA analysis can be performed. Positive identifications can not be made solely on the basis of mitochondrial DNA analysis. Therefore if the root is missing or damaged, the hair can not be used for a positive identification.

15. Q) On average, how long does it take to make a positive identification?

Positive identifications can only be made if a sample from the victim was recovered (post mortem sample) and there is known ante-mortem sample(such as a fingerprint on file or dental x-ray from past dental visit) . In the case of DNA samples the required tests may take several weeks to produce results. In the case of non-DNA samples (fingerprint to fingerprint record) the identification can be completed quickly.

16. Q) What are the precautions taking to prevent contamination of samples for DNA analysis during collection or processing?

All workers handling samples are wearing face shields, gloves, head covering, and body suits to prevent contamination of samples by workers. Each sample is individually packaged to prevent sample to sample contamination. New disposable supplies such as scalpels, razors, and liquid handling devices are used to work on each sample and for DNA analysis. Gloves are changed between samples. Only one sample is worked upon at a time and the paper underneath each sample is changed between samples. Measures are in place to monitor the possible presence of contamination.

17. Q) How precise /sensitive are the methods used for DNA analysis? Is the method capable of allowing discrimination between different samples in a mixture? For example if the particular tissue samples of interest are collected with other tissues, is the current method designed to allow for adequate separation and identification of specific DNA?

The DNA analysis methods are extremely precise. DNA can be isolated from any sample that can be seen by the naked eye. The method can only discriminate samples in a mixture if it is a very uneven mixture with a large major component and a small minor component. It will not work on 50:50 mixtures. It is assumed that tissues from different individuals are collected together. Therefore tissues are first examined by a medical examiner who has the skills to separate different tissues. Secondly, the tissues are sampled below the outer surface to avoid areas where different tissues might have touched.

18. Q) Who should provide DNA samples?

At least two close relatives are needed. Parents are preferred. If close relatives (mother, father, children/spouse, full siblings) are not available then additional other relatives are needed. If children are used then a sample from the spouse is needed. Other relatives include grandparents, grandchildren, uncles, aunts, nephews and nieces and more than two other relatives are needed. Any combination of the above will work. A detailed family history is needed when working with relatives.

20. Q) Does temperature impact DNA?

High temperatures will destroy DNA. At room and body temperatures DNA in tissue will be broken down by bacteria. DNA in bone and hair will be stable at these temperatures.

21. Q) I provided a DNA sample and was asked to provide a second sample because the first one did not pass testing analysis. Please explain why this can happen.

Not every DNA sample works every time. In a major study by the British on thousands of cheek swabs, cheek swabs work 85-95% of the time. The cheek swab may not work because the inside of the cheek was not rubbed properly (only a small part of the swab was used for rubbing), there may be too little saliva, the cheek may be coated with food or medication such as antacid, the swab was improperly dried after sampling, or the swab touched other swabs or dirty hands when drying.