THE EDITOR, Madam:
A FEW days ago I heard a news announcement that the body of an elderly gentleman was still unidentified although he had died many months before. I thought it was pitiable, and that an old idea of mine could help to relieve such problems as well as solving a few others.
The idea is to establish a national DNA archive.
Together with the other vital statistics, which are recorded at birth such as date of birth, sex, parents' name etc., a record of the baby's DNA would also be made and kept.
There would now be a permanent and unique record of that person, which would be even better than fingerprints.
The record can then be used for diverse purposes at any stage of the person's life, for example.
Identification of dead bodies as above.
Identification of living persons e.g. for election purposes, census etc.
Forensic determinations involving various crimes such as rape and murder.
Establishing paternity and other familial relationships. Establishing and extending family trees.
I am sure there are many other uses to which this record could be put, but these five are important enough to deserve due consideration.
Although the costs have not yet been counted I feel sure that procedure would prove to be cost-effective.
I would love to see comments on this idea.
I am, etc.,
DENZIL WILLIAMS
49 Havendale Drive
Kingston
