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(Doha, Qatar-AP) -- U.S. forces have an important tool as they try to crack the mystery of Saddam Hussein's whereabouts: a sample of the Iraqi dictator's DNA.

General Tommy Franks tells CNN that the military has "the forensic capability to chase these things down."

Franks says American authorities have DNA from Saddam Hussein and his sons. He didn't explain how the DNA was obtained. It can be culled from a wide range of sources, including licked envelopes.

The finding raises hopes that forensic experts can determine if U.S. strikes on government compounds killed the Iraqi leader.

Franks says Saddam is "either dead or he's running a lot," and that he's not commanding anything right now.

He acknowledged a positive match might be hard to get, particularly if remains have been removed.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

Date published: 4/13/2003

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