During the World Trade Center (WTC) DNA identification project, a software program that estimates whether a specific kinship sample will benefit the identification was explored. For example, suppose buccal swabs have been collected from a victim’s father and sister. Will collecting DNA from the victim’s grandson help meet the statistical threshold for making an identification? Charles H. Brenner, Ph.D., developed such a program to assist in the WTC identification efforts.
The Victim Identification Program (VIP) is software developed by the Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Teams (DMORT), a program of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, to collect victim information. VIP contains approximately seven pages of victim-related data, tailored for making mass fatality incident identifications. This information (primarily non-DNA-related) is gathered by DMORT personnel or collection center officials through interviews with the victims’ families. Although the families generally complete the printed VIP forms with the aid of family assistance centers, it is possible for the process—if well organized and well financed—to be done via computers.
Currently, there are no standards that govern the collection of reference samples (i.e., personal items and kinship samples) from families. Historically, DNA laboratories have designed forms used in the collection process on an ad hoc basis—and, in some situations, forms have been designed on-the-fly, hours before they have been put into use. Two sample forms provided may be helpful:
It may be important to also keep in mind:
It is not uncommon for several victims in a large disaster to share the same name but be unrelated. Similarly, related individuals with the same names—cousins, for example—may be victims in a single event. Consistent use of the following guidelines will ensure that the proper reference samples are assigned to each victim:
A lesson we learned in the World Trade Center identification effort was that collection of the kin reference sample had to be appropriately placed in their genetic context at the time they were collected or there could be great difficulty later on in the analyses of identification probabilities. Therefore, geneticists and genetic counselors should assist with collected family relationship data from those contributing reference samples in the aftermath of a mass casualty disaster.
Generally, collection centers are staffed by members of the family assistance center, DMORT, and ME personnel. It is critical that the laboratory staff participate in the reference sample collection process, and it is advisable for the laboratory to define and control the process. Non-DNA laboratory personnel usually do not have the expertise to assess how kinship samples or personal items will contribute to the DNA identification effort. For example, a family member might ask, “I have a second cousin living overseas; should we contact her for a sample?” Individuals trained in DNA analysis and genetics must be available to respond to such questions and ensure that the most valuable samples (from a DNA identification perspective) are collected and analyzed.
Traditionally, the metadata associated with a reference sample are collected on paper, then transferred to computer. Ideally, however, all information is entered directly into a database during the collection process. This helps reduce transcription and other data entry errors, such as those resulting from illegible handwriting. It would helpful, for example, if a specialized collection workstation could be constructed to streamline the collection procedure and guarantee greater accuracy. Features of a specialized collection workstation— many which are included in the software that the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) uses to collect reference samples—might include:
Two approaches may be used to collect reference samples from families: an “open house” (family members visit the collection center without an appointment during the day) and, the preferred approach, scheduled appointments when all family members are able to attend.
The primary advantage of the open house approach is that family members can come and go according to their own schedules. However, an open house has drawbacks, including:
The preferred approach to collecting reference samples, however, is to schedule an appointment with an entire family unit. The primary advantage with this approach is that all the reference samples for a victim are collected at one time. Although each collection will take more time when an entire family is present, this approach decreases the chance of a sample mixup, allows the entire family to validate the pedigree, and uses laboratory staff time more efficiently.
Regardless of the collection approach, there invariably are some family members who—due to poor health or distance, for example—are unable to visit the collection center. In these cases, the collection center must make special arrangements to visit their homes, have other agencies (such as law enforcement agencies or phlebotomists) collect samples, or mail collection kits directly to family members. (Note: This last method circumvents appropriate chain-of-custody procedures and should not be used if strict forensic protocols are in force.)
As discussed in chapter 2, How DNA Is Used to Make Identifications, the number of possible identifications depends on the condition of the human remains and the reference samples. After the laboratory develops DNA profiles for all of the personal items and kinship swabs, it will assess whether the reference samples provide sufficient information to identify the victim. In some cases, the laboratory may need additional information from biological relatives or personal items.