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Integrated DNA and Fingerprint Analyses in the Identification of 60‐Year‐Old Mummified Human Remains Discovered in an Alaskan Glacier
Author(s) -
Loreille Odile M.,
Parr Ryan L.,
McGregor Kevin A.,
Fitzpatrick Colleen M.,
Lyon Chriss,
Yang Dongya Y.,
Speller Camilla F.,
Grimm Michael R.,
Grimm Michael J.,
Irwin Jodi A.,
Robinson Edward M.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of forensic sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.715
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1556-4029
pISSN - 0022-1198
DOI - 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2010.01356.x
Subject(s) - fingerprint (computing) , identification (biology) , ancient dna , mount , crew , dna profiling , ridge , engineering , archaeology , history , aeronautics , computer science , artificial intelligence , biology , dna , geography , cartography , medicine , mechanical engineering , ecology , population , genetics , environmental health
This report describes the identification of a merchant mariner who perished in 1948 when Northwest Airlines Flight 4422, a DC‐4 carrying 24 seamen and six crew members crashed into Mount Sanford, Alaska. Fifty‐one years later, a human forearm and hand were found close by the wreckage of the plane, prompting identification efforts using DNA and fingerprints. There were significant challenges to both the fingerprint and DNA analyses. The hand was badly desiccated, making fingerprint friction‐ridge detail almost invisible and the remains had been embalmed upon discovery, making DNA amplification difficult. We present the results of an interdisciplinary approach that successfully addressed these challenges and ultimately led to the identification of the remains. These efforts relied on efficient fingerprint rejuvenation and imaging techniques that improved print resolution, as well as new DNA extraction techniques optimized for aggressively embalmed remains.