In the American southwest, they have extracted myoglobin from Anasazi period coprolites at least once. This was used to prove that the individual who had defecated had ate another individual, however. (See Science Vol 289, September 8, 2000, p. 1663).
The best thing I found on line about extracting DNA from ancient fecal matter is an article about extracting DNA from ancient ground sloth coprolites. Here is the link:
http://socserv2.socsci.mcmaster.ca/~adna/PDF/Poinar_al_1998_Molecular_Coproscopy.pdf
Hope this helps.
-----Original Message-----
From: Discussion List for Contemporary and Historical Archaeology on behalf of lineone
Sent: Thu 8/30/2007 6:32 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: crap question
Does any one know, or know of someone who might know, whether you can
get a DNA "fingerprint" from human pooh? This *is* a serious question
relating to a piece of current research.
p g-b
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