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Corpses that could not be recognised by standard methods after an Air
Inter Airbus A-320 crash in January were eventually identified by DNA fingerprints.
This is the first time that genetic fingerprinting has been used during
a disaster and has raised the issue of whether DNA banks should be set up
for high-risk professions.

Within 10 days of the crash in woods near Strasbourg, a team of French
forensic scientists, dental surgeons and biologists had identified 68 of
the 87 corpses by conventional methods such as matching dental records and
blood tests.

‘We then decided to use genetic fingerprinting, both to identify the
remaining 19 and also on those already identified, which allowed us to assemble
all the remains of each individual,’ said Patrice Mangin, director of the
Institute of Forensic Medicine at the Louis Pasteur University in Strasbourg.

Sixteen of the remaining corpses were identified by comparing their
DNA profiles with those of nearest relatives; the other three could not
be identified. The technique relies on detecting familial traits within
DNA.

Whenever possible, both parents of the suspected victim had a blood
sample taken to give the best chance of a match. Where there was only one
parent, siblings and offspring provided further comparisons. Mangin also
used what he calls ‘reverse filiation’, in which a suspected victim’s children
supply DNA to identify the parent.

‘I don’t think DNA fingerprinting will take over from conventional methods
for the time being, said Mangin. The cost of fingerprinting after the Strasbourg
crash was 1.5 million francs ( £150 000).

‘Paradoxically,’ said Mangin, ‘it was very difficult to get information
for conventional identification on the crew. With a DNA bank it would be
fast and simple and would only cost £50 to take and stock a person’s
DNA for life.’ Identification of pilots after a fatal accident can be crucial.
Toxicology tests can reveal whether a pilot had taken alcohol or a medication
before the flight.

French airlines have shown no sign of wanting to use DNA banks. Air
Inter is creating identity files of all staff. These include dental X-rays
but not DNA profiles.