DOD DNA Operations

The Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory provides worldwide scientific consultation, research and education services in the field of forensic DNA analysis, is the only DOD Human Remains DNA testing laboratory, and is a key partner in helping identify the remains of service members from both current and past conflicts. 

AFRSSIR maintains a DNA reference specimen collection for all active duty and reserve service members and an automated database to assist in their retrieval for human remains identification.

Learn more about the specimen collection process.

For a list of FAQs, click here.

Since 1992, the DOD and the military services have been actively collecting maternal family reference specimens from family members of military personnel whose remains have not been recovered or identified from Southeast Asia, Cold War incidents, Korea, and World War II. The individual military Service Casualty Offices continue to seek family members to update their databases.

The identification of missing service members, especially those who were Prisoners of War in past conflicts, has profound impacts; not only on the military community, but especially on the living relatives of those lost.

DNA Day at the AFMES is something the organization looks forward to every year as an opportunity to learn about the different sections of the AFDIL, while celebrating the victories of their cutting-edge laboratory and emerging technologies section.

The specially trained scientists within the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory perform what some would call miracles, on a daily basis.