Baraminology is a biosystematic discipline for reclassifying organisms within the young-earth creation model. The method is presently dependent on 15 theoretically-defined membership criteria that are designed to reveal patterns of phylogenetic discontinuity in nature. This survey examines the utility of the molecular criterion for resolving phyletic divisions. As a case study, the non-trionychoidea cryptodires (turtles with hard shells and retractable necks) have been analyzed with a panel of nine mitochondrial genes. Sequence comparisons with non-testudines supported a previous hypothesis that the turtles were apobaraminic or phylogenetically distinct from other vertebrates. Analyses within the testudines suggested the non-trionychoidea cryptodires were composed of at least two monobaramins including the Cheloniidae family and Gopherus genus.