Rapid DNA technology identified victims of California wildfires

Medical examiners used Rapid DNA technology to identify the 85 people killed in last year’s Camp Fire wildfire in Paradise, Calif.

The technology is funded in part by the Department of Homeland Security’s Science and Technology Directorate (S&T). It was developed to quickly analyze DNA to verify kinship and identify victims of mass casualty events and human trafficking. It is used when dental records and fingerprints are not available.

Rapid DNA technology can analyze five DNA samples simultaneously in 90 minutes in one machine. Traditional DNA analysis can take weeks or months.

The Butte County Sherriff’s Office asked ANDE Corporation, one of S&T’s Rapid DNA commercial partners, to help analyze DNA samples at the disaster site. ANDE was able to positively identified 85 percent of the victims using its portable machine.

“Despite the extreme damage to the remains, the Rapid DNA machines were able to quickly make accurate matches and confirm victims’ identities,” Chris Miles, S&T project manager for Rapid DNA, said. “Rapid DNA became a priority tool for the Sacramento County Coroner’s Office during this event,” Miles said. “I was glad to see we could help bring closure to many families.”

The remains of two victims are still unaccounted for as of Feb. 7, 2019.