AP sources: US used 'multiple methods' to ID (bin Laden's) body

[Roland99]

Source: AP (via Yahoo)

The U.S. used multiple means to confirm the identity of Osama bin Laden during and after the firefight in which he was killed, before placing his body in the North Arabian Sea from aboard a U.S. aircraft carrier, senior U.S. officials said Monday.

The al-Qaida leader was identified by name by a woman believed to be one of his wives — bin Laden had several — who was present at his Pakistan compound at the time of the U.S. raid. He also was visually identified by members of the U.S. raid squad, a senior intelligence official told reporters at a Pentagon briefing. Under ground rules set by the Pentagon, the intelligence official and two senior defense officials could not be identified by name.

The intelligence official also said quite a bit of unspecified material was collected by U.S. forces during the raid. Without describing the material, the official said it is being analyzed by a team of people at the CIA.

The officials said bin Laden was killed toward the end of the firefight, which took place overnight Monday in a building at a compound north of Islamabad, the Pakistani capital. His body was put aboard the USS Carl Vinson and placed into the North Arabian Sea.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110502/ap_on_re_us/us_bin_laden_dna

[angstlessk]

1. Unless Obama was hoodwinked...which I do not believe to be the case...he would

NOT declare Osama dead unless he knew for sure beyond any reasonable doubt...then the DNA proved it was bin Laden

[greiner3]

2. I'd say bin Laden is dead;

However, I'd say his body is somewhere in the states being studied and/or in storage.

Hell, we keep so many deadly strains of toxins, bacteria and viruses that this, I believe, is a no brainer.

[Javaman]

7. He's been frozen in carbonite and now stands next to the aliens at area 51.

;)

[bench scientist]

3. DNA confirmation possible within hours

I just though I'd add this in. It is possible to confirm
Osama's identity within hours via PCR. Especially since they
have a prior familial sample to begin with. (his sister)
 http://www.scientificamerican.com/blog/post.cfm?id=how-do-you-id-a-dead-osama-anyway-2011-05-02
I'm sure many "experts" on the fringe right will
doubt this though, as nothing will convince them.

[stevedeshazer]

5. Thanks for that link. And welcome to DU.

[Ian David]

4. Osama was killed at the end-- he was the Boss Level. n/t

[Javaman]

6. "Yup, this is Bin Laden. There's the Woody Wood Pecker tattoo". nt