REGIONAL SECURITY

AFFAIRS

In reply refer to:

I-94/21 99 8

17 MAY 1994

MEMORANDUM FOR CHAIRMAN, DEFENSE. SCIENCE BOARD

THROUGH: ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR

FROM:Deputy Assistant' Secretary Of Defense for POW/MIA Affairs

Subject: Proposed Terms of Reference Defense Science Board Task Force on the Use of DNA Technology for identification of Ancient Remains -- ACTION MEMORANDUM

Attached is the proposed Terms of Reference for a DASD (POW/MIA Affairs) sponsored Defense Science Board review on the use of DNA technology in the identification of ancient remains. The Proposed terms have been reviewed by OUSD (P&R), OASD (HA), OASA (M&RA) and AFIP, and are submitted for your consideration.

LCDR Mark Jensen, USN will serve as my point of contact on this issue, (703) 284-0942.

Attachment:

As stated

DEFENSE SCIENCE

BOARD

MEMORANDUM FOR UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR ACQUISITION AND TECHNOLOGY

FROM: EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, DEFENSE SCIENCE BOARD Prepared by LTC John Dertzbaugh, x54157

SUBJECT: Defense Science Board Task Force on the Use of DNA Technology for identification of Ancient Remains.

PURPOSE: ACTION-- To obtain USO (A&T) approval of the Terms of Reference for a DSB Task Force to review the Use of DNA Technology for Identification of Ancient Remains (Tab A).-

DISCUSSION:

• In May 1994, the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for POW/MIA Affairs requested the Defense Science Board review the use or DNA technology in the identification of ancient remains (Tab B).

• This Task Force will study the issues and provide findings concerning the use of DNA comparison techniques for ancient remains identification. The primary purpose is to determine the feasibility or utilizing DNA techniques to identify unassociated ancient remains from past conflicts. The Task Force will also pursue and provide findings on issues it uncovers that may have an impact on the current use of DNA in the identification of associated ancient remains.

COORDINATION: ASD (ISA)

Chairman, DSB

Dr. Lederberg

RECOMMENDATION: The USD (A&T) sign the Terms of Reference at Tab A.

Attachments

Tab A - Proposed Terms of Reference

Tab B - USD (ISA) Memo

Approved by John V. Ello/ 6 June 1994

ACQUISITION AND

TECHNOLOGY

JUN 21 1994

MEMORANDUM FOR CHAIRMAN, DEFENSE SCIENCE BOARD

SUBJECT: Terms of Reference -- Defense Science Board Task Force on the Use of DNA Technology for Identification of Ancient Remains

Request you establish a Defense Science Board Task Force to study the issues and provide findings concerning the use of DNA comparison techniques for ancient remains identification. The primary purpose is to determine the feasibility of utilizing DNA techniques to identify unassociated ancient remains from past conflicts. Secondarily, the Task Force should pursue and provide findings on issues it uncovers that may have an impact on the current use of DNA in the identification of associated ancient remains.

The Task Force evaluation should include, but is not limited to, the following issues.

a. To determine the feasibility of using DNA techniques for identification of ancient remains as evidenced, in part, by success in identification efforts thus far.

b. To evaluate factors that might influence the effectiveness of using DNA techniques.

c. To evaluate current and emerging scientific evidence concerning the reliability of the techniques when compared with other current and evolving methodologies.

d. To evaluate the possibility of obtaining useful Mitochondrial DNA (MTDNA) information from skeletal remains through MTDNA outside the control region (D-Loop) or possibly nuclear DNA.

e. To determine the degree to which DNA matching could be accomplished with reference donors (family members of up to 8,100 unaccounted for in the case of Korea), adequacy for discrimination of individual from such a database, and what alternatives exist if such family donors are deceased.

f. To recommend a statistical database to be used in calculating the statistical information.

g. To ascertain what effects a large volume of remains could have on the identification process utilizing DNA technologies.

h. To determine the scientific and other resource implications of undertaking large scale DNA testing for identification of unassociated remains.

i. To evaluate other technologies to assist in the automation and reduction of costs associated with DNA testing.

j. To determine the degree of scientific experience and expertise available to support the Task Force findings.

This appraisal should be made using a broad spectrum of governmental and civilian scientific sources and studies. All DoD-related elements that possess technical capabilities that can be brought to bear on this analysis should provide support for the effort. Results of this review will be the basis for policy decisions concerning the use of DNA as a primary or supporting means of identification; establishment and magnitude of an outreach program to family members; and manpower, equipment, and other resources for the Central Identification Laboratory, Hawaii (CILHI), and the Armed Forces DNA Registry.

The Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (POW/MIA Affairs) will sponsor this effort. Dr. Joshua Lederberg will serve as Task Force Chairman. LCDR Mark Jensen, USN, will serve a Executive Secretary. LTC John Dertzbaugh, USA, will be the Defense Science Board Secretariat representative. The Defense POW/MIA Office will provide funding and other support as may be necessary. An interim report should be provided within 90 days of Task Force membership approval, and the final report 90 days after that.

/s/

R. Noel Longuemare