IP: [FP] The DoD DNA Registry and Specimen Repository

From: "ScanThisNews" <mcdonalds@airnet.net> Subject: IP: [FP] The DoD DNA Registry and Specimen Repository Date: Sun, 1 Nov 1998 11:49:05 -0600 To: ignition-point@majordomo.pobox.com SCAN THIS NEWS 11/1/98 "The blood is placed on special cards with the service member's Social Security number, date of birth, and branch of service designated on the front side of the card. On the reverse side of the bloodstain card are a fingerprint, a bar code, and signature attesting to the validity of the sample." ************************************************** The DoD DNA Registry and DoD Specimen Repository for Remains Identification http://www.afip.org/homes/oafme/dna/afdil.html Historical Overview: The U.S. military recognized the value of DNA testing as a necessary adjunct to traditional identification efforts. In a memorandum dated December 16, 1991, the Deputy Secretary of Defense authorized the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) to establish policies and requirements for the use of DNA analysis in the identification of remains. To carry out these policies, the establishment of a DNA Registry, to include a Specimen Repository for Remains Identification and a DNA Identification Laboratory were authorized under the Office of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner (OAFME). On January 5, 1993, the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) issued a policy guidance for the establishment of a repository of specimen samples to aid in the remains identification using genetic analysis. On May 17, 1993, the Surgeon General, U.S. Army, was delegated as Executive Agent for the DNA Registry. On March 9, 1994, the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) issued a Memorandum of Instruction to the Service Secretaries establishing policies and procedures for the collection of DNA specimens. On April 2, 1996 policy refinements were issued to the DoD DNA Registry. In October 1994 the DNA Registry received approval from the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors for the production of DNA proficiency tests used by forensic DNA laboratories. AFDIL is one of four DNA laboratories to receive this approval in the United States. In January 1995 the Defense Science Board concurred with the use of mitochondrial DNA testing for associated and unassociated remains. Although AFDIL is capable of conducting more common nuclear DNA testing, nuclear DNA testing is not possible on ancient remains. DoD Specimen Repository for Remains Identification The DoD DNA Specimen Repository provides reference material for DNA analysis to assist in the remains identification process. A dried bloodstain and buccal swab are being collected from all Active Component (AC) personnel. A total of three DNA specimens are collected. One bloodstain card is stored in a pouch in the service member's medical record; another bloodstain card and a buccal swab are stored at the Armed Forces Repository for Specimen Samples for the Identification of Remains. The blood is placed on special cards with the service member's Social Security number, date of birth, and branch of service designated on the front side of the card. On the reverse side of the bloodstain card are a fingerprint, a bar code, and signature attesting to the validity of the sample. Ultimately, the bloodstain card is stored in a vacuum-sealed barrier bag and frozen at -20 degrees Celsius, in the Specimen Repository. The oral swab (buccal scrapping) is fixed in isopropanol and stored at room temperature. Great care is taken to prevent the possibility of error from sample switching or mislabeling. Additionally, the specimens are considered confidential medical information, and military regulations and federal law exist to cover any issues on privacy concerns. As of December 1994, DNA collections were being made from all newly accessioned personnel, the residual AC members, and select high risk Reserve Component (RC) members. Large scale RC collection are scheduled to begin collection in FY 96. Collections are being made from any service member deployed to a hostile fire or imminent danger area. During CY 94, collections were made from personnel deploying to Somalia, Rwanda, Haiti, Bosnia, and Latin America. All services are at least 90% complete with collections of special operations, aviation, and high risk duty personnel. The remaining AC individuals will be collected through FY 98, at the time of their annual physical. As of 31 December 1995, the Repository has received 1.15 million DNA specimens. Specimens come into the Repository at the rate of 3,000 - 4,000 per day. The updated Specimen Management System (SMS), using the Defense Eligibility Enrollment System (DEERS) database, verifies service member information. In CY 95, the Repository established an on-line datalink with DEERS. All DNA specimens will be maintained for fifty years, before being destroyed. Individual specimen samples will be destroyed upon request of the donor following the conclusion of the donor's complete military service obligation (including individually ready reserve status or subject to active duty recall) or other applicable relationship to DoD. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---- MEMORANDUM FOR ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE ARMY (M&RA) ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE NAVY (M&RA) ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE (MRAI&E) SUBJECT: Casualty Identification Policy http://ippsrs.ha.osd.mil/main/caid9651.html July 18, 1996 References: (a) Deputy Secretary of Defense Memorandum 47003, "Establishment of a Repository of Specimen Samples to Aid in Remains Identification Using Genetic Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Analysis," 16 December 1991. (b) Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) Memorandum and Policy Statement, "Establishment of a Repository of Specimen Samples to Aid in Remains Identification Using Genetic Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Analysis," 5 January 1993. (c) Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) Memorandum, "Memorandum of Instruction of Procedures for the Collection and Shipment of Specimens for Submission to the Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) Specimen Repository," 9 March 1994. (d) Privacy Act System of Records Notice for System A0040-57aDASG, "DoD DNA Registry," 60 Fed. Reg. 31, 287-8, 14 June 1995. (e) Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) Memorandum, "Policy Refinements for the Armed Forces Repository of Specimen Samples for the Identification of Remains," 2 April 1996. Reference (a) delegated authority to the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs) (ASD(HA)) to issue policies and requirements for the establishment of a registry and appropriate specimen repository that will aid in the remains identification process by the use of DNA profile analysis. References (b) and (c) established policies and procedures for operation of the repository. Reference (d) formalized the system of records for the repository. Reference (e) refined the policies for the operation of the repository. Primary casualty identification is fundamental to the elements of medicolegal death investigations and involves the use of one or more complementary methods including fingerprints, footprints, dental comparisons, DNA identifications and superimposable radiographic techniques. The duplicate dental panograph repository or Central Panograph Storage Facility (CPSF) in Monterey, California was established in 1986 and has been used more than 1000 times over the last ten years largely by DoD agencies with close to 100 percent success. In 1991, DoD embarked on the creation and implementation of a DNA Registry including the Armed Forces Repository of Specimen Samples for Identification of Remains and Armed Forces Casualty Identification Laboratory both of which are components of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP). The Repository accessions approximately 5,000 files/day with original plans of having all servicemembers (active, reserve and guard) on file by FY 2002. Comparative DNA casualty identification is now the DoD preferred standard of positive casualty identification, making the duplicate panograph obsolete. The CPSF will be discontinued on 31 December 1999. Therefore, I request that you take all necessary measures to ensure an accelerated acquisitions program of servicemember DNA specimens to include active, reserve and guard components for purposes of casualty DNA profile identification. A DNA sample should be obtained from all new accessions; duplicate panographs will not be taken on new accessions and no servicemember is to deploy without having a DNA specimen on file. The DEERS Data Bank shall be used to ensure that servicemembers do in fact have a DNA specimen on file. While updated radiographs will continue to be part of a servicemember's medical/dental record, no new radiographs will be received by the Repository, effective this date. Please provide me with a copy of your plan to implement this accelerated request by 23 August 1996. The point of contact for this action is Captain Glenn Wagner, Deputy Director, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, (202) 782-2103. Colonel Salvatore M. Cirone is the OASD(HA) point of contact, (703) 695-7116. Stephen C. Joseph, M.D., M.P.H. cc: ASD(RA) HA POLICY 96-051 ************************************************** [Related info regarding DNA samples from children] ************************************************** New Guardian DNA Helps You Keep Your Baby Safe DNA Identification System Places State-of-the-Art Technology into Parents Hands Worried about hospital mix-ups or infant/child abductions? Guardian DNA Identification System consists of an easy-to-use DNA collection kit, an instructional safety video, a DNA sample storage facility, a recording system that provides for complete anonymity, and PIN/barcode security feature so that only parent authorized access is possible. Guardian DNA uses the same technology and methodology used by the U.S. Armed Forces. Collection can be performed at-home at any age, but for added newborn security parents will want to have one immediately after the birth. Retails for $49.95. Available through select hospitals and physicians, or by calling InVitro International at 1-800-246-8487 Ext. 230, or visit their web site at http://www.invitrointl.com/guardian.htm/ -------------------------------------------------- http://www.yellodyno.com/html/dnahome.html "Parents will feel more secure knowing they have their child's DNA 'fingerprints' safely stored away." - Dr. Martin H. Smith, Pediatrician and former President of the American Academy of Pediatrics DNA I.D. is, without question, the future of identification. For one thing, DNA I.D. (also known as "genetic fingerprinting") is the only virtually positive and permanent identification method. For example, photographs fade and must be updated, and fingerprints can smear or be difficult to acquire (getting a proper child's fingerprint can be very difficult), but each person's DNA does not change for his entire life. DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) molecules are that part of the human physiology which carries the genetic "blueprint" that makes each person unique. Each person's "genetic" makeup is exclusive and never changes for their entire life. As such, "DNA fingerprinting" can provide reliable identification even when it may be impossible to recover a fingerprint. Further, DNA I.D. is generally admissible in court, and can be invaluable in reuniting parents with their children in the case of parental abductions, kidnappings, accidents, and natural disasters. DNA identification is now available to families in an easy-to-use, at-home kit. With the "do-it-yourself" DNA I.D.Kit, it takes parents only minutes to capture, preserve, and store-at-home their child's genetic "fingerprints." Tens of thousands of parents are already keeping their children's "genes" at home. The DNA I.D. Kit provides a way of properly taking, recording, and storing genetic samples in a patented, tamper-proof system. Yello Dyno says "O.K., this is where you might get a little 'squeemish,' but read on, because this is really cool and easy ... and something every parent needs to consider for their child (or any member of their family, for that matter!). This is how it works." The genetic material is derived from very small samples hair and blood. The kit includes a virtually painless, spring-loaded, medical quality puncture tool to help draw a few drops of blood from the finger, which is then placed on a special absorptive paper card. After air drying for a little while, the card is then placed in one of the special foil tamper-proof envelopes for preserving and storing, on which personal information is recorded. If you are too uncomfortable to use the puncture tool, the hair sample by itself should suffice, which is stored and recorded the same way. Many parents just take the kit to their pediatrician and have them draw the drops of blood. Then, a personal information card on your child is filled out, including attaching a picture. A fingerprint card is also included along with special fingerprinting material and instructions. After you are done, everything is then put in another, larger foil tamper-proof envelope and sealed. Personal information is then recorded on the envelope and it is ready to be put in a safe place. Unrefrigerated the samples should last for many years (they are dry). Refrigeration will extend viability of samples much longer. Unrefrigerated renewal is recommended once every five years. Again, this patented system is a way of properly taking, storing, and preserving genetic samples, not the actual test. If the DNA sample is ever needed to make a genetic match the process is usually initiated by law enforcement or some other agency. (Beware of suggestions to "make your own DNA I.D." While storing DNA samples at home can be simple with a specially made medical product like this, it can be completely ineffective without the right procedures.) The DNA I.D. Kit can also be a part of your at-home fact file. By combining an up-to-date child I.D. card and the DNA I.D. Kit, parents can have a valuable child identification system. DNA is so important to the future of identification that it is already being used by the FBI and the U.S. Armed Forces. In fact, DNA I.D. is the preferred method of identification for law enforcement, as seen in more and more court cases recently. "DNA Analysis . . . is considered the most important advance in forensics since fingerprinting. Its use in U.S. courts has skyrocketed from 14 cases by the end of 1987 to 12,000 by mid-1993," according to an article in the Austin-American Statesman in June 1994. The FBI is implementing a national DNA database, called CODIS, to track people by their DNA. The U.S. Army started a genetic depository in 1992 that will eventually include the DNA of every American in uniform. The U.S. Army's goal is to have no more "unknown soldiers." DNA is also already being used to identify missing children. For example, in December, 1993, a two-year old was returned to his parents two years after being kidnapped - only after police established scientifically who the child was by using "genetic fingerprinting." If you are ever separated from your child and time passes, DNA analysis is probably the only way of making a virtually fool-proof identification. This remarkable kit provides you with the tools you need. ======================================================================= Don't believe anything you read on the Net unless: 1) you can confirm it with another source, and/or 2) it is consistent with what you already know to be true. ======================================================================= Reply to: <fingerprint@networkusa.org> ======================================================================= To subscribe to the free Scan This News newsletter, send a message to <majordomo@efga.org> and type "subscribe scan" in the BODY. Or, to be removed type "unsubscribe scan" in the message BODY. For additional instructions see www.efga.org/about/maillist.html ----------------------------------------------------------------------- "Scan This News" is Sponsored by S.C.A.N. Host of the "FIGHT THE FINGERPRINT!" web page: www.networkusa.org/fingerprint.shtml ======================================================================= **************************************************** To subscribe or unsubscribe, email: majordomo@majordomo.pobox.com with the message: (un)subscribe ignition-point email@address or (un)subscribe ignition-point-digest email@address **************************************************** www.telepath.com/believer ****************************************************