[Anti-Bubba182]

The bold makes sense to me. If al-Zarqawi was among the dead in Mosul, we should not expect confirmation until they are absolutely sure.

I really hope there are fingers with prints available or a jawbone among the remains. (They may have dental records and he was in Prison in Jordan so they probably have prints)

The article said, "eight individuals were reported killed and burned beyond recognition." so there may not be much left as it appears in the first reports, but the forensic people may get lucky and be able to find something to confirm or deny his death at an earlier time. At least I hope so.

[The Mayor]

I hope they find enough to ID him positively.

[nevergore]

Our OGA has DNA on Al-Zarqawi......

They don't need much....a little charred flesh is just fine.....

[Boundless]

Unfortunately, since Debka is also reporting this,
chances are it's not true :-)

But as far as DNA goes, we likely have the necessary
samples, both from Z-man's family (who have disowned
him) and the Jordanians, who had him locked up some
years back.

[Dog]

What is known is that the United States attacked a location in Mosul in which eight individuals were reported killed and burned beyond recognition

This wasn't just any attack.....there was some serious US/Iraqi firepower involved....they were hunting an HVT.....but which one.

[JLS]

DNA is what you need to be sure. His mother or really any female relative will do. Mitochondrial DNA is I believe what they can use.

[kms61]

He has family in Jordan. Getting DNA samples should be a trivial matter.

[AmericaUnited]

DNA can be gotten from his family in Jordan.

[tet68]

If he didn't die taking infidels with him, NO VIRGINS FOR HIM!

[nascar242005]

" claim al-Zarqawi's head"

I hope the find his HEAD and Televise it.....instead of just DEAD.

[RTINSC]

The military should not confirm this, even if it is Zarqawi. Keep his fellow travelers wondering while we kill his chain of command..

[Just Lori]

I don't believe it. Our presence in Mosul makes it less than hospitable to Zarcoward. He'd be an idiot to go there.

[MEG33]

If the burning made DNA finding impossible..there is a possibility they can get Mitochondrial DNA ..The girl who was murdered recently in the US and only badly burned bones and teeth were left to test made me think of the difficulty. That takes longer to test and of course is not like a sure match..like DNA

[Sunsong]

It doesn't take long to do a quickie test. A WH official is saying it is "highly unlikely" that Z was among the dead. Maybe they already know??

Any thoughts?

[Libloather]

There are rumors circulating in the Middle East concerning the possible death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi.

Ya know, this will only hurt you and your cause in the next (American) election. Please pass this great info along...

[disgruntledinCa]

I'll believe it when they check the splodeydopers DNA...

[Raycpa]

If we were 100% positive we would not announce it until whatever intel that exists could be followed up on.

[A CA Guy]

True, next think you'd know al-Zarqawi would show up at some Dan Rather guest home preparing an interview of how he fooled America.

[SandRat]

I'd also heard on FNC that his family/tribe had formally disowned him for the bombings in Jordan. I hope that the report of his death is true and that he is truely being tormented by Satan in He##!

[Steely Tom]

Won't they be able to tell if he's dead by tracking the response of his organization as it tries to sort out who will take his place? I would think that their communications network would be showing some unusual activity about now.

Of course, we won't know about this angle for a while (if ever).

(steely)

[Ron in Acreage]

The democrats want murder charges brought against our troops who may be responsible.