The role of forensic anthropology in disaster victim identification (DVI):recent developments and future prospects

Forensic anthropological knowledge has been used in disaster victim identification (DVI) for over a century, but over the past decades, there have been a number of disaster events which have seen an increasing role for the forensic anthropologist. The experiences gained from some of the latest DVI operations have provided valuable lessons that have had an effect on the role and perceived value of the forensic anthropologist as part of the team managing the DVI process. This paper provides an overview of the ways in which forensic anthropologists may contribute to DVI with emphasis on how recent experiences and developments in forensic anthropology have augmented these contributions. Consequently, this paper reviews the value of forensic anthropological expertise at the disaster scene and in the mortuary, and discusses the way in which forensic anthropologists may use imaging in DVI efforts. Tissue-sampling strategies for DNA analysis, especially in the case of disasters with a large amount of fragmented remains, are also discussed. Additionally, consideration is given to the identification of survivors; the statistical basis of identification; the challenges related to some specific disaster scenarios; and education and training. Although forensic anthropologists can play a valuable role in different phases of a DVI operation, they never practice in isolation. The DVI process requires a multidisciplinary approach and, therefore, has a close collaboration with a range of forensic specialists

Identification of the Incapacitated Patient in Mass Casualty Events: An Examination of Challenges, Barriers and Solutions

Increasing scrutiny of the role and actions of emergency responders in the aftermath of mass casualty events continues to elicit the need for changes and advances in terms of treatment and care. Despite improvements in some areas, there is a growing concern relating to the identification of incapacitated patients who are unable to provide any identifying details. The use of visual identification and the reliance on personal effects within the vicinity of victims, both living and deceased, has resulted in mistaken identification in a number of major incidents internationally. There is a misguided emphasis on the identification of the deceased over that of the living incapacitated victim. This research examines the practicalities of using scientific methods for identification of the deceased, such as those used in INTERPOL’s Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) process, and questions whether they should be broadened to include those who are incapacitated and unable to confirm their own identity. The study uses qualitative ethnographic analysis, triangulating observation of two large mass casualty and fatality exercises, interviews with front-line responders and subject-matter experts and corresponding documentation and fieldnotes to critically examine the challenges, barriers and solutions to determining an unconscious patient’s identity. In addition, analysis of previous cases of identification errors was carried out using Turner’s Incubation Theory as a basis for understanding the causative factors. This thesis establishes that despite the growing number of these cases, and the successful implementation of DVI techniques with the incapacitated in the aftermath of two recent terrorist attacks, lessons are not being learned. There remains a resistance to organisational learning from a crisis and an unwillingness to change practices that are no longer sufficient or relevant. Ultimately, the application of DVI on its own to resolve identification issues is insufficient. The empirical evidence established as a result of this study demonstrates that successful implementation of DVI requires better awareness of these issues, including the latent failures present in the Incubation Period. Perceived barriers, including questions over the legal viability of DVI when used with the living, will need to be overcome. This can be achieved through awareness, planning and training and ultimately steered by effective strategic leadership with a desire to improve the culture of emergency response across an organisation. Failure to adopt this strategy alongside the application of DVI will result in harms, not only to victims and their families as a result of identification errors, but importantly to the responders themselves. If organisations fail in their duty to plan for and respond to mass casualty incidents involving unidentified and unknown incapacitated patients, the responders themselves will become victims of psychosocial stress and harm

DNA profiling of unidentified human remains in the South African context: an ethico-legal analysis

A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Medicine in Bioethics and Health Law Johannesburg, December 2016Due to the inherent sensitive character of human genetic material, when employing DNA-based methodology in identification of human remains, clear ethical guidelines and well implemented law are necessary. With this in focus, the study determines and validates a set of morally justifiable ethical standards drawn from universal principles and human rights which rest on the value of respect of human dignity. In South Africa, The Criminal Law (Forensic Procedures) Amendment Act was commenced in 2015. While the terms of the Act mainly deal with the establishment and functioning of the National Forensic DNA Database of South Africa for the purposes of criminal justice, it also provides for the identification of missing persons and unidentified human remains. To be fully compliant with ethical standards and human rights, few areas of the Act needing attention and improvement during a further implementation process are highlighted. This study concludes with several recommendations to promote meeting the recognised ethical standards by the local DNA-based programme of identification of human remains.MT201

Seeking Information After the 2010 Haiti Earthquake: a Case Study in Mass-fatality Management

The 2010 earthquake in Haiti, which killed an estimated 316,000 people, offered many lessons in mass-fatality management (MFM). The dissertation defined MFM in seeking information and in recovery, preservation, identification, and disposition of human remains. Specifically, it examined how mass fatalities were managed in Haiti, how affected individuals sought information about fatalities, and what needs motivated them. Data from 28 in-depth, partially structured interviews, conducted during two field visits ending 21 weeks after the earthquake, were included in a case study. The data analysis revealed the MFM was severely inadequate. One interviewee, a senior UN official, stated, "There was no fatality management." The analysis also indicated a need to learn whereabouts of the deceased motivated individuals to visit spots the deceased were last seen at. It sought to illumine information-seeking practices, as discussed in the works of J. David Johnson and others, by developing a new model of information flow in MFM. In addition, it reaffirmed Donald Case and Thomas Wilson's theoretical proposition – that need guides any seeking of information – in the case of Haiti. Finally, it produced recommendations regarding future directions in MFM for emergency managers and information scientists, including possible use of unidentified body parts in organ transplants. Overall, the dissertation, which was supported by two grants of the National Science Foundation, attempted to add to relatively scanty literature in information seeking in MFM