DNA samples to aid bin Laden hunt

DNA samples taken from relatives of Osama bin Laden will be used to identify the terror chief if he is captured or killed, it has emerged.

The FBI are to seek DNA samples from the Saudi exile’s relatives following claims that bin Laden lookalikes have been brought into Afghanistan to confuse the hunt for the suspected mastermind of the September 11 terrorist attacks in the US.

DNA samples would be sought from relatives including bin Laden’s mother, Alia Ghanem, who is thought to be in Saudi Arabia.

Bin Laden has around 50 half-brothers and half-sisters, whose DNA would also be sought. His father, Mohammed bin Laden, had a series of wives, leading to the large family.

US officials told Newsweek magazine yesterday that they fear there would be lingering doubts about whether a body they believed to be bin Laden’s was really that of the al-Qaida leader unless there was genetic proof.