DNA Testing of Katrina Victims

Orchid Cellmark Selected to Provide Forensic DNA Testing to Help Identify Victims of Hurricane Katrina

Orchid Cellmark Selected to Provide Forensic DNA Testing to Help Identify Victims of Hurricane Katrina

PRINCETON, N.J., Dec. 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Orchid Cellmark Inc. (NASDAQ:ORCH) , a leading worldwide provider of identity DNA testing services, today announced that it has been awarded a contract by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals to provide forensic DNA testing to help identify victims of Hurricane Katrina. Under the terms of the agreement, Orchid Cellmark will generate DNA profiles from reference samples provided by families of the hurricane victims for comparison to DNA profiles from the victims. According to the State of Louisiana, DNA reference samples have already been submitted by hundreds of people with missing relatives who are believed to have perished during Hurricane Katrina. In addition to helping identify deceased individuals, reference samples of DNA from families can also be helpful in establishing next-of-kin affiliations for children displaced by the storm.

"For almost 20 years, Orchid Cellmark has been a pioneer in conducting family and kinship genetic analyses to establish identity using DNA, and we welcome the opportunity to assist in the effort to identify victims of Hurricane Katrina," said Paul J. Kelly, M.D., president and chief executive officer of Orchid Cellmark. "In the past few years we have been an active participant in using DNA analyses to identify victims of the World Trade Center disaster and the devastating tsunami in Asia. We have also provided DNA testing services to many thousands of individuals needing to confirm identity for parentage, adoption, immigration, security and inheritance purposes, as well as to the criminal justice system. We look forward to working with state officials and family members to help expedite this important assignment."

This new contract builds on Orchid Cellmark's existing contract with the State of Louisiana criminal justice system for CODIS database sample testing. As Orchid Cellmark has established processing procedures already approved by the Louisiana State Police under its existing CODIS contract, Orchid Cellmark can begin testing family reference samples immediately. Orchid Cellmark expects that testing of the majority of the reference samples can be completed within seven days of their receipt. If requested, Orchid Cellmark can also use more advanced approaches such as mitochondrial DNA, SNP or Y-STR testing for more difficult victim identifications and kinship analyses.

Further details of the agreement were not disclosed.

Orchid Cellmark is a long established and well-respected international private forensic DNA testing firm. It has conducted DNA testing for the FBI and for criminal justice agencies in all 50 U.S. states and hundreds of municipalities, as well as for many law enforcement agencies in the U.K. Orchid Cellmark has provided forensic DNA analyses for many high-profile criminal cases, including the O.J. Simpson, Green River serial murderer, JonBenet Ramsey and Unabomber cases. More recently, Orchid Cellmark has applied its innovative forensic DNA technology to help identify victims of the 9/11 World Trade Center and the Asian tsunami disasters.

Orchid Cellmark's U.S.-based forensic laboratories have received the prestigious accreditation of the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors/Laboratory Accreditation Board (ASCLD/LAB). Orchid Cellmark's laboratories are also certified by the American Association of Blood Banks and its Dallas and Nashville laboratories are accredited by the National Forensic Science Technology Center.

About Orchid Cellmark Inc.

Orchid Cellmark is a leading provider of identity DNA testing services for the human identity and agriculture markets. In the human identity area, the company provides DNA testing services for forensic, family relationship and security applications. In the agriculture field, Orchid Cellmark provides DNA testing services for agricultural selective trait breeding. Orchid Cellmark's strong market positions in these segments reflect the company's accredited laboratories in the U.S. and U.K., its innovative genetic analysis technologies and expertise, and the world-renowned Cellmark brand that has been associated with exceptional quality, reliability and customer service for nearly two decades. More information on Orchid Cellmark can be found at http://www.orchid.com/.

All statements in this press release that are not historical are forward- looking statements within the meaning of Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements regarding: Orchid Cellmark's expectation that the testing of the majority of the reference samples can be completed within seven days of their receipt. Such statements are subject to the risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, including, but not limited to, uncertainties relating to technologies, product development, manufacturing, market acceptance, cost and pricing of Orchid Cellmark products and services, dependence on government funding and collaborations, regulatory approvals, competition, intellectual property of others, patent protection, litigation and the quality of the reference samples received by Orchid Cellmark for testing. These risks and other additional factors affecting these statements and Orchid Cellmark's business are discussed under the headings "Risks Related to Our Business" and "Risks Associated with Our Common Stock" in Orchid Cellmark's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and in other filings made by Orchid Cellmark with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. Orchid Cellmark expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in Orchid Cellmark's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statements are based, except as may be required by law.

Source: Orchid Cellmark Inc.