Judge orders Anna Nicole's body to be held for DNA tests

Anna Nicole Smith’s body was ordered to be held for DNA testing in the paternity dispute involving the former Playboy Playmate’s five-month old daughter, a judge ruled today.

US Circuit Judge Lawrence Korda granted the request in a brief meeting in his chambers with lawyers for photographer Larry Birkhead, who claims to be the baby’s father.

He petitioned the Florida court yesterday, asking that a California court order for DNA testing filed on Friday – the day after Smith died – be enforced in Florida.

Nancy Hass, a lawyer for Birkhead, said the Birkhead camp feared that accurate DNA testing would not be possible if the body was released and moved out of state.

Smith’s partner, Howard K Stern, also claims to the be the baby’s father.