For the record, the quick OBL DNA match is absolutely possible.

They already had OBL's DNA sequenced (either his directly or the mitochondrial DNA he shared with siblings). This allowed them to analyze ahead of time his DNA for various unique markers that give DNA its "fingerprint". This further allowed them to develop and synthesize the tools (known as "primers) to directly look for that fingerprint in a DNA sample. Designing and making these primers is the hard part of DNA sequencing. Using them is easy and can be accomplished with use of purification kits, machinery and computational tools small enough to fit in a bathroom. Most likely a small makeshift lab had been assembled on the naval vessel the SEALS were based off of. Such an analysis should only take several hours, given they had the ability to work the conditions out ahead of time.

I have a PhD in Molecular Biology and my husband does exactly this kind of DNA sequencing for his career. We both feel the rapid DNA match is possible.

For what it's worth.

Sid

Appreciate the working knowledge of the process.

body.

They had obtained DNA from his sister who had died of a brain tumor a few years ago. They were totally prepared to run this quickly.

sitting in counties all across America waiting for YEARS, to be tested.

And most police departments only have one or two coroners who can make said diagnosis?

Being the US Government (let's hear it for GOVERNMENT!!!) they could quickly get an expert to read the results...

as in this case. The software that exists now to analyze a marker comparison (really a plus/minus decision) can do most of the work.

Got a coworker whose FB is full of wingnuts blowing up about this - who asked me about it just after I saw this in the greatest page. Nice to have some solid facts.

And from a fricking PhD in Molecular Biology! Damn.

:hi: