Billateral striopallidodentate calcification is a rare syndrome mentioned in 1930 by Karl Th. Fahr (german neurologist), but even earlier in 1855 Bamberger described billateral symetrical calcifications of the basal ganglia.

The onset of clinical symptoms usually occurs between 40 an 60 years and personality disorder misdiagnosis is possible if organic brain pathology is not investigated. Sometimes unexpected death is the reason for a forensic autopsy that reveals the calcification process.

DNA analysis is of particular interest for people who are unrecognizable, as a result of mutilation, fire or natural decomposition. There are two major requirements for DNA based identification:

• collection of representative, high quality tissue samples form the victim
• availability of reference samples

Guidelines and standard operating procedure for bone and tooth sample collection are presented.