Handling The Identification of Burn Victims in A Traffic Accident: A DVI Case Report

@#The role of the forensic pathologist in a mass disaster is to identify the victims. The procedure refers to Interpol’s Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) guidelines. DVI consists of 4 stages namely Scene Examination, Post-Mortem Examination, Ante-Mortem Examination, and Reconciliation. Post-Mortem (PM) and Ante-Mortem (AM) data collected include fingerprints, dental records, DNA as Primary Identifiers, medical records, and property as Secondary Identifiers. At the reconciliation stage, at least there must be a match between one Primary Identifier or two Secondary Identifiers. Theoretically, 4-phase DVI should be performed according to the DVI standard in every disaster case. In fact, the implementation of DVI encountered many obstacles in the field. This article discusses the various obstacles and problems faced when conducting DVI in the case of a car accident with a truck on the Madiun-Ngawi toll road at KM 631 A to the Madiun – Nganjuk toll road. The chronology of this incident began when the elf’s vehicle hit a truck and a concrete barrier and then caught fire. Three victims were found in a burned condition leaving only the skeleton, thigh and psoas muscle. This of course does not allow fingerprints to be checked. The identification process is carried out only by comparing primary and secondary data as an identification guide given the condition of the bodies that are only slightly left. Then DNA examination was not carried out in this identification process. Tests for CO levels showed that the three victims indicated CO poisoning before they died.

Historia y contribución de la odontología legal y forense en Paraguay en casos de identificación - análisis de la literatura odontológica y periodística / History and contribution of legal and forensic dentistry in Paraguay in identification cases - analysis of dental and journalistic literature

El proceso de identificación decir que una persona es la misma que se supone o se busca es sumamente importante sobre todo en el mundo actual, donde el número de accidentes, desastres naturales y no naturales ha ido en aumento, dejando una cifra cada vez mayor de víctimas fatales. El estado de conservación de los cuerpos, es un factor importante a considerar, ya que muchas veces este tipo de accidentes deja víctimas irreconocibles, lo que dificulta considerablemente el proceso de identificación. La comparación odontológica es establecida por la INTERPOL como método primario de identificación, debido a que puede llegar a establecer la identidad sin la utilización de otro método complementario. Particularmente la odontología legal y forense en Paraguay aún se encuentra en etapa de desarrollo, sin embargo, aun así, ha colaborado en la resolución de varios casos de gran impacto social, adquiriendo un papel fundamental dentro del departamento de criminalística y hoy es indudablemente aceptada como un método fiable de identificación. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo, analizar la literatura odontológica y periodística acerca de la historia y contribución de la odontología legal y forense en Paraguay, en casos de identificación. Con este trabajo fue posible analizar la literatura odontológica y periodística acerca de la historia y contribución de la odontología legal y forense en Paraguay, en casos de identificación.

The identification process is to verify if a person is the same as assumed or soughed, it is extremely important, especially in today's world, where the number of accidents, natural and unnatural disasters have been increasing, leaving an increasing number of fatalities. The state of conservation of the bodies is an important factor to consider, since this type of accident often leaves unrecognizable victims, which makes the identification process considerably difficult. Dental comparison is established by INTERPOL as a primary method of identification, since it can establish identity without the use of another complementary method. Particularly legal and forensic dentistry in Paraguay is still in development stage, however it has collaborated in the resolution of several cases of great social impact, acquiring a fundamental role within the department of criminology and today is undoubtedly accepted as a method Reliable identification. The present work aims to analyze the dental and journalistic literature about the history and contribution of legal and forensic dentistry in Paraguay, in cases of identification. With this work, it was possible to analyze the dental and journalistic literature about the history and contribution of legal and forensic dentistry in Paraguay, in cases of identification.

MH17: the Malaysian experience

A disaster is a natural or man-made (or technological) hazard resulting in an event of substantial extent causing significant physical damage or destruction, loss of life, or drastic change to the environment. It is a phenomenon that can cause damage to life and property and destroy the economic, social and cultural life of the people; and overwhelms the capacity of the community to cope with the event. The recent tragic aviation accidents in 2014 involving Malaysia Airlines flights MH370 and MH17 shocked the world in an unprecedented manner. This paper focuses on the Malaysian experience in the MH17 mission in Ukraine as well as the first ever international Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) operation for the Malaysian DVI team. The DVI operations in Hilversum, the Netherlands were well described in stages. The Netherlands’ Landelijk Team Forensische Opsporing as the lead DVI team in Hilversum operated systematically, ensuring the success of the whole mission. This paper discusses the lessons learned by the Malaysian team on proper DVI structure, inter- and intra-agency cooperation, facilities planning and set up, logistics and health and safety aspects, as well as effective communication and collaboration with other international delegates. Several issues and challenges faced by the Malaysian team were also documented. In addition, the authors shared views, opinions and recommendations for a more comprehensive DVI operation in the future.

An approach for identification of individuals in a mass disaster in Indian set up.

In the changing scenario of mass disaster, which has become almost one of the stories of daily news paper, Disaster Victim Identification has become important for its medico-legal as well as nations socio-economical aspects. This expertise gives the Forensic Experts a resource advice in dealing with human identification in a simpler way in Indian context. The idea of this work was born after the Ganeswari express accident that occurred in West Bengal, in May 2010, after which the situation demeaned a discussion between the Forensic Experts, Forensic Scientists and police personnel to frame a simpler guideline for Disaster Victim Identification. The recommendations made in this paper, as well as in many cited references, are intended to provide the forensic experts the minimum guidance for victim identification by photography and storing samples suitable for DNA analysis. It also gives a guideline for matching the DNA samples with the relative of the victims that will provide better chances of victim identification.

Identificação de cadáver carbonizado utilizando documentação odontológica / Identification of charred corpse using dental records

Objetivo: O presente trabalho teve como objetivo ressaltar a importância da documentação odontológica na identificação humana. Descrição do caso: Um indivíduo foi encontrado carbonizado no interior de um automóvel incendiado. Devido à destruição generalizada dos tecidos moles, a identificação da vítima pela análise das impressões digitais não foi possível. Durante as investigações foi descoberto que a suposta vítima tinha feito tratamento dentário e toda a documentação produzida em decorrência deste tratamento (ficha clínica e radiografias) foi requisitada. Confrontando as informações presentes na documentação dentária com as particularidades odontológicas do cadáver foram obtidos 11 pontos relevantes de coincidência que foram suficientes para afirmar, com fundamento técnico-científico, que o corpo encontrado no veículo era realmente pertencente à pessoa desaparecida. Conclusão: Considerando a particularidade do processo que envolve a identificação de corpos carbonizados, a técnica de identificação odontolegal ainda apresenta vantagens em relação ao exame de DNA, tais como baixo custo, facilidade e rapidez na aplicação da técnica e confiabilidade dos resultados obtidos.

Purpose: The aim of the present paper was to demonstrate the importance of dental records for human identification. Case description: A charred body was found inside of a burned car. Because the soft tissues were destroyed, finger print exams were not possible. According to investigations the suspected victim had had dental treatment, and all dental records (dental charts and radiograph exams) were requested. Comparing the information provided by dental records with the victim's dental features, 11 matching reference points were detected. Based on technical and scientific parameters there was enough evidence to identify the body found inside the car as the missing person. Conclusion: Considering the unique aspects related to charred body identification, Forensic Dentistry identification technique still has some advantages in comparison with DNA exam because it is easy and fast to perform, has low cost and provides reliable results.

An Analysis of the Victim's Identification Results from Commercial Aircraft Accidents in Guam

No abstract available.

A Report of the KE 801 Victim Identification Results Using Conventional Method

Aircraft accidents are not new occurrences. Most people considered flying to be particularly dangerous in the early days of flight, and fatal aircraft crashes were not surprising Although investigation into the mechanical causes of crashes progressed, it was not until the 1950s that value of medical investigation of aircraft crashes became apparent. The identification process is an essential elements of an adequate investigation. Accurate identification of all fatalities incurred in an aircraft accident is often the first step in determining where each person was located at the time of the disaster and what role they may have played in its cause, Separated into basic elements, the identification process involves (1) the collection of identification information about missing persons, (2) the observation of identifying features of the victims, and (3) the comparison of the two groups of information. Many investigators know about identification techniques, but they have considered them as an isolated process anti have not integrated them into the overall investigation. Typically, physicians, dentists, and other medical personnel are assigned tasks based on a preconceived disaster plan that they had no role in developing to identify the victims of aircraft crash occurred in Guam at 6 August 1997, we performed analysis the data filed from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Office of Chief Medical Examiner, Territory of Guam, U.S.A. and National Institute of Scientific Investigation, Korea (NISI). The total of passengers on boards were 254 including 23 all-crews, Among them, only 25 (22 passengers and 3 air crews) were survived. We obtained that the first identified bodies were 100 remains including hospital dead 7 cases using by conventional methods such as finger prints, medical & dental records, and so on. We also analyzed he victims' seating configuration based on boarding pass and surveyed the process from the identification & notification to releasing the body, funeral services and transportation.