On June 12, 2025, an Air India flight crashed shortly after takeoff, killing 260 people. The plane was carrying over 33,000 gallons (125,000 liters) of fuel, leading to a massive fire, and several bodies were charred beyond recognition, fragmented or otherwise rendered unrecognizable. To identify the bodies, officials sought DNA samples from the victims' family members. More than two weeks after the disaster, the completed DNA analysis successfully identified every person lost in the crash.
Around the world, DNA analysis is the gold standard for identifying human remains following these kinds of mass disasters, whether they're transportation accidents like the Air India crash, major natural disasters or terrorist attacks. But how does DNA analysis actually work? And how does it help identify victims in these disastrous events involving mass fatalities?
