DNA test to ID dead costs P20 K per specimen

MANILA, Philippines - The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) should be given appropriate funding to identify the victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda, an official said yesterday.

Wilfredo Tierra, assistant chief of the NBI’s forensics division, said the identification of cadavers would be costly because they would use DNA sampling, which would cost between P15,000 and P20,000 each.

Tierra said at least four samples – one from the dead and at least three from living relatives – would be needed.

He noted that the government spent millions to identify the victims of Typhoons Pablo, Reming and Sendong.

Tierra said the NBI sent a 20-man team to Tacloban City for the initial assessment of the area.

He said they are eyeing mass burial for the victims, who will be placed in separate bags, before they start the identification process.

The NBI would also use “secondary parameters” like clothes and pieces of jewelry worn by the victims to help the relatives identify them.

No danger

Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) said decomposing bodies in Yolanda-hit areas do not pose an immediate concern or danger.

“The idea is to make sure that the bodies are not left deteriorating or decomposing. If, let’s say, there is a foul smell, the public should not be afraid,” Health Secretary Enrique Ona said.

However, the DOH recommends the temporary burial of the victims in shallow graves. “Don’t bury them in deep graves so that they can easily be retrieved when the time comes for their identification,” said Ona, adding that the cadavers should be properly documented before burial.  – With Sheila Crisostomo