DNA Collection to Identify Mariana Crew Member to begin
Efforts are now focused on identifying the crew member recovered from the cargo vessel Mariana, as authorities work to bring answers to families of the six crew members involved in the incident after one body was recovered in the now suspended search by the U.S. Coast Guard.
The Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation is assisting the Medical Examiner, who flew in from Hawaii, by collecting DNA samples from family members on Saipan to help confirm the identity of the individual. The move comes as part of the ongoing response following the vessel’s overturning during Super Typhoon Sinlaku.
CHCC officials say immediate relatives are encouraged to provide samples. Extended relatives such as half-siblings and cousins may also contribute to the identification process.
All samples collected will be sent off-island to a specialized laboratory for analysis.
Authorities have not yet released the identity of the recovered individual as the identification process continues.
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