The Hague, Sept. 19 (SANA)Syria’sNational Commission for Missing Personstook part in a specializedDNAtraining program hosted by theInternational Commission on Missing Persons(ICMP) inThe Hague, the Netherlands, aimed at enhancing national capacity to analyze biological samples, compare DNA profiles and identify missing persons.

The commission’s media office told SANA on Saturday that the program, held from Sept. 14 to 18 with the participation of a team of its specialists, was the first in a series of specializedDNA laboratory trainingprograms.

The program was organized as part of ongoing cooperation between the commission andICMPto strengthen national capacity in searching for missing persons, handling biological samples and conducting genetic analysis.

The Media office said the program included hands-on training covering various stages of DNA laboratory work, as well as a specialized workshop on quality assurance and DNA profile comparison. Participants also exchanged technical expertise on developing a national DNA laboratory for the commission in accordance with recognized scientific and professional standards.

The commission said building sustainable national capacity ingenetic analysisis an essential step in efforts to determine the fate of missing persons, preserve their dignity and enable their families to learn what happened to their relatives through a professional and impartial process.

It expressed appreciation to theInternational Commissionon Missing Persons for its cooperation and expertise during the program, and to the German Federal Foreign Office for supporting the training.

ICMP is an international organization specializing in assisting governments and relevant authorities in accounting for missing persons. Its work combines the search and recovery of human remains, forensic anthropology, DNA analysis and data management. Its specialized laboratories can analyze DNA samples, including highly degraded samples from bones and tissue, generate DNA profiles and compare them with reference samples provided byfamilies of missing persons.

DNA profiles obtained from human remains or unidentified biological samples are compared with those of relatives of missing persons. The effectiveness of the matching process increases when reference samples are available from several family members, particularly parents and children.

ICMP also uses its IntegratedData Management System (iDMS)to manage information on missing persons and their families, reference samples, DNA profiles and matching results, while applying safeguards to protect genetic and personal data and control access to sensitive information.