AFDIL (Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory)
Definition
The US military's primary DNA identification laboratory, based in Rockville, Maryland (later Dover, Delaware). Assisted the NYC OCME with 9/11 identifications and is the primary laboratory for identification of US military personnel from historic conflicts (Korea, Vietnam, World War II).
- Original location
- Rockville, Maryland
- Later location
- Dover, Delaware
- Notable casework
- Assisted NYC OCME on 9/11 identifications
- Primary mission
- US military personnel from historic conflicts
Common questions
What was AFDIL's specific role in the 9/11 identification effort?+
It provided mitochondrial DNA testing capacity to supplement the NYC Office of Chief Medical Examiner's nuclear DNA work, especially useful for the severely degraded and fragmented remains recovered from the site.
How does AFDIL's mission differ from a civilian medical examiner's DNA work?+
Its primary caseload is historic military remains recovered from past conflicts, sometimes decades old, requiring degraded-sample methods, whereas a civilian office typically works fresher remains from recent deaths.
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