DNA tests reveal "0.00% probability" - No match

We received the DNA test results from Orchid Cellmark in the mail yesterday and they are conclusive: "0.00 paternity index" and "0.00% probability of paternity" between my sample and the submitted sample from Rush Medical Center.

I cannot begin to express my feelings right now.

The spokesperson at the medical center is at a loss to explain what happened. We, of course, wonder not only where our father is -- a question to which there is now certainly no answer, but who, in fact, is the cadaver they claimed to be our dad's body?

How widespread was the problem of body identification at the Rush Medical School last year? Or this year for that matter?

The medical center balked, indeed at first refused to agree to DNA testing. They claimed that, after downloading images of my father off the web -- images I had put there by the way -- it was claimed that after comparing features they were certain the body they had "misidentified" was dad and saw no need for further testing.

By the time, however, we had lost considerable faith in people we did not know personally or professionally and remained adamant that the testing be done.

And so it was.

Look, this is no earth-shaking event in the future of western civilization. People die every day and many of those go missing forever. But it has been more than a year out of our lives of being hung out to dry as it were, waiting, waiting, waiting. . .

Nothing can be done about our father's remains. He is now known only to God. But if you are considering donating your body to science or your mother or father is even thinking about making such a lasting and profound donation, be absolutely clear about what you are about to do. And be absolutely clear about what will become of your body when it's all used up.

Thanks pop! For everything!