The advantages of using toenail samples as opposed to bone include: reduced OH&S risks; faster sample collection and subsequent processing in the DNA analysis pipeline – leading to identification in quicker timeframes which is of significant benefit to the family; convenient storage conditions; and reduction of the invasiveness of the procedure for the deceased. Such outcomes far outweigh the lesser profile quality – on average – elucidated by this study for toenail samples. However, it should also be noted that for some cases, the DNA profile obtained for the toenail sample was superior to that of the conventional sample – some of which required additional sample rework.