@SheepGuts:
DNA was once an untried method that is now an accepted method. Just because something is untried doesn't make it invalid. As I understand it, Inmarsat tested this against flights to confirm their interpretations and that was subsequently referred to AAIB who agreed. I find it hard to believe given the magnitude of this incident that Inmarsat would release this if they were not 100% confident in their calculations.
And it still doesn't change the fact that eyewitness reports are inherently unreliable. I am not saying technical data is infallible because it still is subject to interpretation from the examiner, but generally technical information doesn't change and a consistent interpretation is usually reached repeatedly.