Teeth are often the best way to identify remains because they are durable, unique to each person, and may contain surviving mtDNA. Ideally, JPAC's forensic odontologists will have antemortem (before death) X-rays to use for comparison, but even handwritten charts and treatment notes can be critical to the identification process. DPAA uses mtDNA in about three-quarters of its cases. All mtDNA samples taken at the CIL are analyzed at the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL), in Rockville, Md. These genetic patterns are compared with genetic patterns from family reference samples provided by each unidentified service member's family. Unlike nuclear DNA, which is unique to that person, mtDNA is passed directly from a person's mother. Generally, all persons of the same maternal line have the same mtDNA sequences. Since these sequences are rare but not unique within the general population, they cannot stand alone as evidence for identification.

Teeth are often the best way to identify remains because they are durable, unique to each person, and may contain surviving mtDNA. Ideally, JPAC's forensic odontologists will have antemortem (before death) X-rays to use for comparison, but even handwritten charts and treatment notes can be critical to the identification process. DPAA uses mtDNA in about three-quarters of its cases. All mtDNA samples taken at the CIL are analyzed at the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (AFDIL), in Rockville, Md. These genetic patterns are compared with genetic patterns from family reference samples provided by each unidentified service member's family. Unlike nuclear DNA, which is unique to that person, mtDNA is passed directly from a person's mother. Generally, all persons of the same maternal line have the same mtDNA sequences. Since these sequences are rare but not unique within the general population, they cannot stand alone as evidence for identification.