Establishing the identity of an abducted child by DNA.

[John]

One would think that establishing the identity of a child who may or may not have been the victim of an abductor would be a simple matter these days but not so apparently.

Is DNA testing as straightforward as one might think?

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[sadie]

Such a small thing to give a DNA sample.  Even a hair will do it or a mouth swab.   Please correct me if I am wrong.

[mercury]

ah yes if course, im sure next time police come round your house asking for a dna swab to prove who you say you are youd be deliriously happy to have helped

[Eleanor]

So when Madeleine is found, whoever has her in their custody only needs to refuse a DNA Test?

DNA can be legally obtained by force if necessary.

[G-Unit]

So when Madeleine is found, whoever has her in their custody only needs to refuse a DNA Test?

DNA can be legally obtained by force if necessary.

A DNA test needs the written consent of the person giving it. If the police are very determined they can use force to get one. That's from suspects, of course. In the case of a parent refusing to let police take a sample from their child force is unlikely to be used. I would imagine the courts would have to get involved in such a case.

[Benice]

ah yes if course, im sure next time police come round your house asking for a dna swab to prove who you say you are youd be deliriously happy to have helped

I wouldn't mind at all - especially if I knew I bore a striking resemblance to someone they were looking for - i.e. someone whose DNA they already had  - and so it would be really simple to show that I wasn't that person.  I'd be more than happy to help in those circumstances.

I can't believe you wouldn't do the same mercury.   It would be a strange person who would refuse IMO and I don't think you're strange at all.

[sadie]

ah yes if course, im sure next time police come round your house asking for a dna swab to prove who you say you are youd be deliriously happy to have helped

If it helped in the search for a little missing girl ... then like Benice, I would be delighted.

Unlike Benice, I find it strange that you would wish to decline



And I wonder why?   £5%4%

[Eleanor]

Do people refuse?  How very mean spirited.  And it won't actually get them anywhere if there is cause for concern.
A refusal can only suggest something to hide.

[sadie]

Do people refuse?  How very mean spirited.  And it won't actually get them anywhere if there is cause for concern.
A refusal can only suggest something to hide.

Exactly !  ....   


Why might you refuse mercury ?   Any good reasons ?

[Eleanor]

Exactly !  ....   


Why might you refuse mercury ?   Any good reasons ?

All steps to find Madeleine must be taken, Sadie.  And people WILL submit to DNA tests if asked.  This is now the only way to prove that Madeleine is who she is.  Or not.

I suspect that Mercury didn't really think before posting.

[G-Unit]

All steps to find Madeleine must be taken, Sadie.  And people WILL submit to DNA tests if asked.  This is now the only way to prove that Madeleine is who she is.  Or not.

I suspect that Mercury didn't really think before posting.

It does seem a bit much if you know your child is your child. You will have a birth certificate, possibly hospital records exist. DNA tests are not always required surely? Or must everyone in the world forego their right to privacy and their right to be believed because one child went missing?

[Eleanor]

It does seem a bit much if you know your child is your child. You will have a birth certificate, possibly hospital records exist. DNA tests are not always required surely? Or must everyone in the world forego their right to privacy and their right to be believed because one child went missing?

So, if a child might seem to be Madeleine, you would suggest that no DNA test should be done?  I can just imagine what The Sceptics would make of that.

Privacy?  Wot?  For the abductor?  This is my child and I'm not giving you the opportunity to prove otherwise?

[slartibartfast]

So, if a child might seem to be Madeleine, you would suggest that no DNA test should be done?  I can just imagine what The Sceptics would make of that.

Privacy?  Wot?  For the abductor?  This is my child and I'm not giving you the opportunity to prove otherwise?

Not a lot of empathy being shown by the supporters here. If you know it is your child, why would you need to have it DNA checked. Your will have photos etc. that you can show the police.

[Anna]

Not a lot of empathy being shown by the supporters here. If you know it is your child, why would you need to have it DNA checked. Your will have photos etc. that you can show the police.

Why do you think that DNA swabs of missing people are taken?

Was it not in S Africa that a girl was stolen from a hospital and found later aged 16. DNA identification was responsible for her being identified.

[Eleanor]

Not a lot of empathy being shown by the supporters here. If you know it is your child, why would you need to have it DNA checked. Your will have photos etc. that you can show the police.

There is only one definitive answer.  Surely you can see that.  And what do you think the abductor is going to say?  Have a look at my photograph album?  Have a look at a forged Birth Certificate?

Why not just allow a DNA test?

Empathy?  You are right.  I have no empathy for people who would deliberately refuse to prove that a child is theirs.