Human DNA's longevity depends heavily on environmental conditions.
According to the provided reference, the survival time of human DNA can vary significantly based on its surrounding environment:
- Exposed Conditions: If a body is left exposed to heat, water, sunlight, and oxygen, the DNA might only be useful for testing for a few weeks.
- Buried Conditions: If a body is buried a few feet below the ground, the DNA could potentially last for approximately 1,000 to 10,000 years.
In summary, environmental factors are critical in determining how long human DNA can last.