DNA Identifies Franklin Expedition Sailor, Reveals Cannibalism

Researchers have identified the remains of Capt. James Fitzjames from the ill-fated 1845 Arctic voyage, shedding light on the crew's desperate final days.

Capt. James Fitzjames is the second crew member of the 1845 Franklin expedition to be identified through DNA analysis.
Fitzjames' remains were found among 451 bones from at least 13 sailors on King William Island, Nunavut.
The DNA match was made possible by a sample from a living descendant, confirming Fitzjames' identity.
Cut marks on Fitzjames' jawbone indicate he was a victim of cannibalism, highlighting the extreme desperation of the crew.
The identification provides new insights into the tragic end of the expedition, which aimed to find a Northwest Passage but resulted in the death of all 129 men.