Abstract
Disaster victim identification following a mass fatality incident is focussed on identifying the deceased and returning them to their families as quickly as possible, while gathering as much information as practical to aid investigators in establishing the cause of the incident. Ante-mortem data is gathered and compared with the post-mortem data obtained in order to positively identify the deceased. This paper presents results from a study concerned with the first part of the process of identifying the deceased—the triage or Primary Survey and how this can be done without access to hospital facilities such as conventional X-ray imaging or computed tomography. In particular, this study focuses on the imaging undertaken prior to the opening of the body bag by a multidisciplinary team, and how this imaging can assist particularly when forensic anthropologists are involved in the identification process. There are several advantages to imaging the body bags before they are opened and one of the most important is safety. Thus, this paper examines the viability of using a baggage scanner as a practical resource for X-ray imaging, as many regions worldwide may not be able to access conventional imaging equipment. Baggage scanners are readily available and found in airports and various government buildings. The baggage scanner is particularly suited to this task and produces images that can be used by forensic anthropologists to distinguish between human and non-human remains, identify items of evidence and personal effects, and even perform a preliminary or partial biological profile. When considering their response plans, emergency responders should consider including baggage scanners as a contingency for screening body bags if no other imaging system is available.
Highlights
A mass fatality incident (MFI) can be a natural or humanmade disaster, resulting in a number of fatalities that exceed the local resources available to deal with them [1]
Two types of samples were examined during the study: firstly, standard test pieces (STP) and secondly, human and nonhuman remains and associated artefacts contained in body bags
The cremated bone indicated in a slightly duller, darker green, the charred pig trotter was indicated in an orange colour despite the organic tissue being burned (Fig. 4). Metal objects such as the bullets, casings, the body bag zip, nails in the wooden tray, keys, parts of the pen, and coins in the wallet all showed in shades of blue according to their higher Zeff
Summary
A mass fatality incident (MFI) can be a natural or humanmade disaster, resulting in a number of fatalities that exceed the local resources available to deal with them [1]. Types of incidents, a process termed disaster victim identification (DVI), involves a multidisciplinary team that performs the recovery of remains, the gathering of ante-mortem data, analysis in the mortuary, support to relatives, and the repatriation of the human remains [4]. In these incidents, the human remains may either be intact, fragmented, burned, commingled, distorted, and in various stages of decomposition [5]. The human remains may either be intact, fragmented, burned, commingled, distorted, and in various stages of decomposition [5] All these factors make the identification of the deceased a long and challenging procedure [e.g. see 4, 6]. This study, in particular, is aimed at the role of the forensic anthropologist in this process and the use of an imaging method not previously or routinely used: the airport baggage or security scanner that may be used for screening when conventional radiographic facilities are not available
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