WASHINGTON, Dec 13: The United States has obtained DNA samples from the family of Osama bin Laden to help identify him if he is killed and his body found, ABC News reported on Thursday.

US officials believe Osama is in Afghanistan, fighting against US and allied forces who are closing in on him in the mountainous east of the country.

The leader of the al-Qaeda network who is wanted for the September 11 terrorist strikes on the United States has vowed never to be taken alive, while US President George W. Bush has said he wants him “dead or alive.”

However, ABC quoted sources as saying that in the event of Osama’s death, the problem for the United States would be proving it.

Osama is one of 54 children of a Saudi Arabian construction magnate and reportedly has look-alikes who travel with him.—AFP