UNT Health Fort Worth’s Center for Human Identification worked nonstop for two weeks after the July 2025 Central Texas floods that killed 135 people, including 37 children. About 27 scientists processed samples from the Texas Rangers, using kinship DNA testing alongside dental records and fingerprints to confirm identities. The lab identified 47 victims and prioritized returning results to families—often within 24 hours—drawing on mitochondrial DNA analysis and anthropology resources. Close coordination with state health agencies and prior mass-casualty experience helped speed the response.
UNT Fort Worth Lab Identifies 47 Victims After Deadly July 2025 Central Texas Floods
UNT Health Fort Worth’s Center for Human Identification worked nonstop for two weeks after the July 2025 Central Texas floods that killed 135 people, including 37 children. About 27 scientists processed samples from the Texas Rangers, using kinship DNA testing alongside dental records and fingerprints to confirm identities. The lab identified 47 victims and prioritized returning results to families—often within 24 hours—drawing on mitochondrial DNA analysis and anthropology resources. Close coordination with state health agencies and prior mass-casualty experience helped speed the response.
02:59 AM, 11/18/2025Society
UNT Health Fort Worth Lab Identifies Dozens After Deadly Central Texas Flooding
Flooding across Central Texas in July 2025 killed 135 people, including 37 children. As families waited for answers, scientists at UNT Health Fort Worth’s Center for Human Identification worked around the clock for two weeks to assist state officials in identifying victims.
About 27 scientists processed forensic samples delivered by the Texas Rangers, relying primarily on kinship DNA testing—comparing remains with samples from parents, siblings or children—to make matches. Executive Director Michael Coble said the laboratory confirmed 47 victims during the response.
Rapid turnaround and multiple methods
The center prioritized getting results to families quickly, aiming to return identifications within 24 hours when possible. Senior forensic analyst Krystle Rodriguez emphasized the urgency, noting that when children are involved the need for fast answers is especially acute.
“When there’s a horrific event, time is of the essence,” Rodriguez said. “When children are affected, it just really elevates what we do and that it needs to be done quickly.”
In addition to kinship DNA, the lab used dental records and fingerprint comparisons to corroborate identities. The center operates both a DNA laboratory and an anthropology laboratory, enabling analysis of skeletal remains and specialized approaches such as mitochondrial DNA testing that support investigations across the state.
The team has prior mass-casualty experience: staff also assisted in identifying victims of the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde in 2022. Coble acknowledged the emotional weight of that work and the focus required to deliver results to grieving families.
“Both of those tragedies, whether it was the flooding or the shooting, were very, very emotional,” Coble said. “We kind of pull up our sleeves and get to work.”
Rodriguez noted that laboratory procedures do not fundamentally change during a mass-casualty response, but the pressure and urgency do: “It’s higher pressure, but you’re pressuring yourself, too. You want to get the answer back to the family so that they can have positive identifications, because that’s what’s holding up the remains being returned to the family.”
Erika Ziemak, director of special projects, credited close coordination with UNT Health and Texas Health and Human Services for streamlining logistics and communication. The center’s combination of technical expertise, prior experience and teamwork enabled a rapid and compassionate response during the crisis.