Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory facts for kids
The Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL) is a special science lab run by the U.S. Armed Forces. It's located at the Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. This lab is super important because it uses forensic science to help identify people, especially military members.
AFDIL is part of a bigger group called the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (AFMES). Think of it as a key part of the team that helps figure out important medical and identification puzzles for the military.
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What is the Armed Forces DNA Lab?
The Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory, or AFDIL for short, is a high-tech lab that specializes in DNA profiling. This means they look very closely at a person's DNA to create a unique "DNA fingerprint." Just like your fingerprints are unique to you, your DNA pattern is also unique.
How Does the Lab Work?
AFDIL keeps refrigerated DNA samples from everyone currently serving in the military, both active duty and reserve personnel. This way, if something happens, they have a sample ready to help identify someone.
Using DNA to Identify People
When military personnel need to be identified, especially if they have died, AFDIL uses these DNA samples. They compare DNA from the person with the stored samples to confirm who they are. This process is very accurate and helps bring closure to families.
Other Ways to Identify People
Even though DNA is very important, AFDIL often uses other methods first. Most of the time, they identify military members using fingerprints. These fingerprints are taken when military ID cards are issued.
If fingerprints aren't available, then DNA and dental records become super important. By combining these different types of information, AFDIL can almost always figure out who someone is, even in difficult situations.
Images for kids
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The official logo of the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL).
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