High-Throughput Genetic Data Gathering from Bone Samples Recovered from an Air Crash

DNA-based analysis constitutes the key approach in the challenging task of identifying human remains from mass fatalities. In this application note a workflow that allowed effective and fast identification of the complete set of highly fragmented human remains (N = 418) from an air crash in Río Negro Province, Argentina, on May 18, 2011 is presented. This process included DNA extraction from bone using a semi-automated DNA purification system, DNA quantitation by real-time PCR using commercial kits and data analysis using expert software.