Chinese DNA experts began testing tissue samples collected from
unidentified tsunami victims from Thailand in Beijing Sunday, laboratory
officials said.
The first batch of 100 samples packed in paper boxes and luggage collected
from more than 4,000 unidentified bodies arrived at the Beijing Genomics
Institute at the Chinese Academy of Sciences late Saturday.
Outfitted in sterile protective clothing, the DNA experts were busy
conducting analyses throughout the day.
According to Yang Xu of the institute's DNA sequencing office, the institute
is capable of testing 4,500 samples per day.
More samples are due to be flown to Beijing in a couple of days, Xinhua
quoted Captain Ponpasert Ganjanakintr of the Thai Royal Police Office as saying.
He said China's DNA testing standards have reached world levels and China's
DNA testing has been offered free of charge to Thailand, for which the nation is
grateful.
He said about 400 DNA and forensic experts from the international community
have been engaged in the work it the effort will take a month to accomplish.
According to institute officials, the test results will be saved in a
database to be compared later to genetic samples from relatives of the possible
victim's DNA.
Thai authorities have established centres in morgues where relatives of those
missing or unaccounted can have a blood sample taken for possible DNA matching
with an unidentified body.
The five-member Chinese DNA testing team arrived in Thailand early December
31 to help with the disaster relief work and has been working in Phuket Island,
one of the most affected areas.
Four members of the team returned to China together with the DNA samples on
Saturday while another one stays in the area to continue the work of identifying
the tsunami victims.
