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

Hans H De Boer,Soren Blau,Tania Delabarde,Lucina Hackman

doi:10.1080/20961790.2018.1480460

Abstract

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.

Highlights

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
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
The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the way in which forensic anthropologists may contribute to a DVI operation, with emphasis on how the experiences gained from some of the latest DVI operations and the recent developments in forensic anthropology impact the various aspects of the DVI process

Summary

Introduction

A disaster has been defined as “a serious disruption of the functioning of a community or a society causing widespread human, material, economic and/or environmental losses which exceed the ability of the affected community or society to cope” [1]. It allows for quick assessment of which reference information is needed for an appropriate probabilistic statement The gathering of such reference data is generally challenging, but it is expected that with the development of ever more sophisticated methods to quantify human variability (e.g. machine learning and automated image processing) and the increasing availability of largescale reference data (e.g. through governmental or medical databases) our knowledge of prior odds and the evidential value of forensic anthropological methods will increase substantially. Forensic anthropological observations which generally provide relatively low likelihood ratios can produce considerably strong evidence for a tentative identification when combined [109] This is especially relevant in those cases in which the so-called scientific methods with generally higher evidential values (such as DNA, fingerprints or odontology) are not feasible. This allows a transfer of knowledge and increases the potential pool of forensic anthropologists who are available when a disaster occurs [21]

Concluding remarks

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