Disaster Victim Identification Research Articles

Second GHEP-ISFG exercise for DVI: “DNA-led” victims’ identification in a simulated air crash

The Spanish and Portuguese-Speaking Working Group of the International Society for Forensic Genetics (GHEP-ISFG) has organized a second collaborative exercise on a simulated case of Disaster Victim Identification (DVI), with the participation of eighteen laboratories. The exercise focused on the analysis of a simulated plane crash case of medium-size resulting in 66 victims with varying degrees of fragmentation of the bodies (with commingled remains). As an additional difficulty, this second exercise included 21 related victims belonging to 6 families among the 66 missings to be identified. A total number of 228 post-mortem samples were represented with aSTR and mtDNA profiles, with a proportion of partial aSTR profiles simulating charred remains. To perform the exercise, participants were provided with aSTR and mtDNA data of 51 reference pedigrees —some of which deficient—including 128 donors for identification purposes. The exercise consisted firstly in the comparison of the post-mortem genetic profiles in order to re-associate fragmented remains to the same individual and secondly in the identification of the re-associated remains by comparing aSTR and mtDNA profiles with reference pedigrees using pre-established thresholds to report a positive identification. Regarding the results of the post-mortem samples re-associations, only a small number of discrepancies among participants were detected, all of which were from just a few labs. However, in the identification process by kinship analysis with family references, there were more discrepancies in comparison to the correct results. The identification results of single victims yielded fewer problems than the identification of multiple related victims within the same family groups. Several reasons for the discrepant results were detected: a) the identity/non-identity hypotheses were sometimes wrongly expressed in the likelihood ratio calculations, b) some laboratories failed to use all family references to report the DNA match, c) In families with several related victims, some laboratories firstly identified some victims and then unnecessarily used their genetic information to identify the remaining victims within the family, d) some laboratories did not correctly use “prior odds” values for the Bayesian treatment of the episode for both post-mortem/post-mortem re-associations as well as the ante-mortem/post-mortem comparisons to evaluate the probability of identity. For some of the above reasons, certain laboratories failed to identify some victims. This simulated “DNA-led” identification exercise may help forensic genetic laboratories to gain experience and expertize for DVI or MPI in using genetic data and comparing their own results with the ones in this collaborative exercise.

Forensic Odontology for General Dentists

Forensic odontology is the application of knowledge of dentistry for legal causes. Although Forensic odontology as a subject is new to the Indian scenario, its importance has been very well documented in global literature. Teeth are the hardest structures in the human body and they resist the challenges posed by nature very well. Furthermore, teeth are unique for each individual. Dr. Oscar Amoedo identified many victims of the Paris Charity Bazaar fire disaster with the help of dentition. Since then Dr. Oscar Amoedo is recognized as the 'Father of Forensic Odontology.' A general dental practitioner is central to many aspects of forensic odontology such as disaster victim identification, identification of recovered human remains, denture marking, and detecting abuse cases.

Dentist as an Expert Witness under Section. 45 of Indian Evidence Act 1872

Dentists of different specialties are sought for their expert testimony in person identification, injury relatedto oral and dental structures. Person identification may include live or dead, injured or healthy, skeletonized,or mummified. Dentists also opine in crime scene investigation, mass disaster victim identification, andprofessional negligence or injury. The dental surgeon evaluates the available dental evidence and drafts areport to testify in a deposition as a professional opinion in the medico-legal cases. This article discusses thedemeanor of the dental surgeon as an expert in the court of law.

Formulas for estimating living stature based on bony pelvic measurements reconstructed from computed tomography images

Introduction: A major challenge in anthropology is the estimation of human stature based on human bones since the stature of cadavers is slightly different from that of living humans. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility of estimating living stature in Japanese subjects based on sacral and coccygeal lengths as measured on three-dimensional (3D) models of the femur and pelvis reconstructed from cross-sectional computed tomography (CT) images. Subjects and methods: For this cross-sectional study, 106 healthy Japanese subjects (54 men and 52 women) were recruited. We measured the distances from the anterosuperior iliac spine (ASIS) to the most posterior point of the ischial spine (IS) (ASIS-IS), and from the ASIS to the most inferior point of the ischial tuberosity (IT) (ASIS-IT) on 3D bone models reconstructed from multi-slice CT images. Correlations of living stature with ASIS-IS and/or ASIS-IT on the left and right sides of the pelvis were evaluated. Multiple regression equations were derived and used as formulas for living stature estimation. Results: In men, living stature had strong correlations with ASIS-IS + ASIS-IT on both the left and right sides; Pearson's correlation coefficients were 0.717 and 0.706, respectively. In contrast, in women, living stature showed stronger correlations with all of the studied parameters; Pearson's correlation coefficients were highest for ASIS-IS + ASIS-IT on both the left and right sides (r = 0.753 and 0.744, respectively) compared with those in men. Formulas based on ASIS-IS + ASIS-IT provided the best estimation in both men and women, while ASIS-IS alone demonstrated a better estimation than ASIS-IT on both the left and right sides. Conclusions: This study revealed that ASIS-IS and ASIS-IT measured from CT images were reliable predictors of living stature in the Japanese population. Our estimation formulas were derived from measurements of living stature that were not affected by the physiological changes observed in cadavers. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to derive estimation formulas based on living stature. Our method may be useful in the identification of disaster victims, wherein long bones are usually not found intact but pelvic bones are. Furthermore, the findings could be relevant to the field of anthropology for estimating living stature.

An evaluation of molecular characterization and population structure of Uttarakhand, India

The northern Indian state of Uttarakhand is a landmark of culture, traditional values and natural beauty. It is located on the western side of the Himalayas resulting in geographic semi-isolation, which draws attention to the genomic diversity of the population of Uttarakhand. To explore the genomic structure and forensic characterization, randomly 427 unrelated individuals from Uttarakhand were selected. A wide range of allele frequency (0.001 to 0.415) and observed heterozygosity (0.693 to 0.888) was observed, which points towards a high level of genetic mixing instead of population isolation. The allelic data of 15 autosomal STR markers were found to be under the Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium. The population of Uttarakhand showed genetic closeness with geographically close populations, i.e., the populations of Uttar Pradesh, central India and north-western India as compared to geographically distant populations of eastern and southern India, as well as western and eastern Asian populations. The locus D2S1338 (3p21.31) was found to be the most informative marker among all the studied loci with the highest discrimination power (PD = 0.971) and polymorphic information content (PIC = 0.864), while locus TPOX (2p25.3) was found to be the least informative with the lowest discrimination power (PD = 0.862) and polymorphism information content (PIC = 0.654). The combined value of discrimination power (CPD = 1), power of exclusion (CPE = 0.999999023), paternity index (CPI = 9.40 × 105) and matching probability (CPM = 2.10 × 10−18) showed that the tested loci are very useful for personal identification, paternity testing and disaster victim identification.

Anxiety, Depression, and Post-traumatic Stress a month after 2019 Cyclone Fani in Odisha, India.

Early Identification of disaster victims with mental health problems may be useful, but information within a short period after a disaster is scarce in developing countries. This study examined anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress symptoms at 1 month following 2019 Cyclone Fani in Odisha, India. Post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) were assessed by the Primary care PTSD screen for DSM 5 (PC-PTSD-5), anxiety symptoms by the Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7), and depression by the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9). The survey included participants' disaster experience e.g., evacuation, fear of death, injury, death in family, damage to house, difficulty for food, displacement, and effect on livelihood. Proportion of sample (n = 80) with probable PTSD was 42.9%, with severe anxiety was 36.7%, moderately severe depression was 16.5%, and severe depression was 3.8%. Suicidal cognitions were reported to increase by 14%. Comorbidity was common; with significant (P < 0.01) correlation between PTSS and anxiety (r = 0.69), depression (r = 0.596), and between anxiety and depression (r = 0.63). Damage of house and displacement were associated significantly with PTSD; evacuation and displacement with moderate and severe depression; and displacement with severe anxiety. No specific demographic factors were significantly linked to the psychiatric morbidities. A considerable proportion of victims had psychiatric morbidities at 1 month. Associated risk factors included housing damages, evacuation, and displacement, suggesting the need to improve the disaster-management process.

Improved autosomal STR typing of degraded femur samples extracted using a custom demineralization buffer and DNA IQ™

Bone samples are utilized as a source of DNA in disaster victim identification and human remains investigations. However, DNA recovery from bones is time consuming and prone to contamination. A logical approach for postmortem identification is to validate efficient DNA extraction methods requiring less bone material using improved molecular kits with less hands-on time and workflows that facilitate faster turn-around time for processing. In this study, we evaluated DNA yield and amplification efficiency of DNA extracts using a new custom bone demineralization buffer (DMB; Promega) and extracted via manual and automated DNA IQ™ workflows. Including the demineralization step, the bone protocol can be completed in ∼4 h and even less with minimal sample handling when automated. Overall, a rapid and simple DNA extraction with improved allele recovery was validated using degraded bone samples exposed to tropical environments and post-disaster recovery as well as adverse conditions of embalming prior to internment.

The current status of Migrant Disaster Victim Identification in the Canary Islands

This migrant disaster victim identification report is based on an 18-month British Academy funded project, which focused on the Canary Islands, clarifying the state of play of documentation and connections with West Africa: primarily with Senegal, which is described as the main origin of the migrants to the Canary Islands. With the collaboration of Italian and Spanish academics and the utilisation of Canarian data, the report interrogates the challenges associated with the identification of migrant victims off the coast of the Canary Islands through fostered networks in the Canary Islands and Senegal. Finally, the report presents craniofacial depiction/analysis as an alternative biological and biometric tool for Migrant Disaster Victim Identification (MDVI). This project did not involve the implementation of migrant identification and this will hopefully be achieved through follow-up projects. The report ends with a summary of the current status and provides recommendations for future MDVI.

Facio-odontometric analysis in mass disaster victim identification - A novel approach.

Forensic dentistry is an evolving field in legal medicine. In mass disasters, the co-mingled body parts can be misplaced; however, the intervention by dental experts can efficiently sort out the dispute. Understanding the fact that, rule of phi applies to all that exists in nature, in the present study, we aimed to correlate the Total Maxillary Arch Perimeter with the Total Body Height of an individual in cases scenarios where only the skull along with maxilla is the only leftover remains of the unidentified. An observational study was designed involving ninety subjects comprising 45 males and 45 females of age 25 to 30 years for the following parameters. Total Body Height (TBH) was measured in centimetres using anthropometric rod. Total Facial Height (TFH) was then measured from nasion to gnathion using digital vernier caliper. Total Maxillary Arch Perimeter (TMAP) was measured from the maxillary arch model cast using digital vernier caliper. The Total Maxillary Arch perimeter has significant positive correlation with Total Body Height as well as Total Facial Height of an individual. The regression equation was positively established for the prediction of Total Body Height from the known Total Maxillary Arch Perimeter as Total Body Height = 80.91762 + 0.718777 (Total Maxillary Arch Perimeter). The Total Maxillary Arch Perimeter can be used as a predictive tool in estimating the Total Body Height of the individual where the skeletal remains of the skull along with maxilla is only present.

DNA analysis in identifying mass disaster victims

Disaster victim identification is very important for legal, administration, and humanity reasons. Disasters include airplane crashes, fire disasters, volcanoes, hurricane, tornadoes, wars and flood. Methods of identification include visual identification, fingerprints, DNA analysis, personal objects and odontology. DNA analysis is an important method of disaster victim identification particularly when other methods of identification are not possible or not conclusive. The current article enumerates and reviews the role played by DNA analysis in identifying mass disaster victims. Keywords: DNA, Mass disaster, Forensic, Identification

Forensic Anthropology- A Lead to a Speedy Identification of Disaster Victims

Identification of victims is one of the most significant concerns while investigating the scene of occurrence but due to the delay in time of identification it becomes difficult for the authorities to enable identification. The use of modern forensic techniques including the knowledge from disciplines like forensic anthropology, toxicology, post blast residue analysts, forensic odontologists so as to speed up the investigation. The paper reviews the role of a forensic anthropologist in the Disaster victim identification, on and off site. The use of radiographic techniques in order to know the biological profile of the deceased as well to assist relocation in case of a fragmented body. In the current scenario, the forensic involvement of experts though has been increased in identifying the victims, but still there needs to be more deployment at ground zero in order to increase proper investigation. Disaster victim identification is a multidisciplinary approach and so collaboration from all the disciplines is needed so as to render justice.

Improved STR analysis of degraded DNA from human skeletal remains through in-house MPS-STR panel.

DNA analysis of degraded samples and low-copy number DNA derived from skeletal remains, one of the most challenging forensic tasks, is common in disaster victim identification and genetic analysis of historical materials. Massively parallel sequencing (MPS) is a useful technique for STR analysis that enables the sequencing of smaller amplicons compared with conventional capillary electrophoresis (CE), which is valuable for the analysis of degraded DNA. In this study, 92 samples of human skeletal remains (70+ years postmortem) were tested using an in-house MPS-STR system designed for the analysis of degraded DNA. Multiple intrinsic factors of DNA from skeletal remains that affect STR typing were assessed. The recovery of STR alleles was influenced more by DNA input amount for amplification rather than DNA degradation, which may be attributed from the high quantity and quality of libraries prepared for MPS run. In addition, the higher success rate of STR typing was achieved using the MPS-STR system compared with a commercial CE-STR system by providing smaller sized fragments for amplification. The results can provide constructive information for the analysis of degraded sample, and this MPS-STR system will contribute in forensic application with regard to skeletal remain sample investigation.

Promising Blockchain Technology Applications and Use Case Designs for the Identification of Multinational Victims of Mass Disasters

In mass disasters with multinational victims, it is critical to identify the deceased for judicial, ethical, religious and human rights reasons, as well as to allow the next of kin to complete the grieving process. Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) process is a complex procedure where Post-mortem (PM) identifying data, essentially fingerprints, DNA and dental, is collected in order to be compared with equivalent Antemortem (AM) data related to the missing persons list. Although there are solutions used in the field of human identification, they all fall short of equipping them with the tools needed for achieving human identification in a timely manner. Initially, it is significantly challenging to manage missing person lists containing years, and sometimes decades, of family AM data resources’ updates. Furthermore, there is currently no record of any holistic technical solutions for managing both AM and PM for human identification to support collaborative multinational and interjurisdictional processes. Blockchain technology provides the tools to facilitate building trustworthy, secure and holistic ecosystems, and it can disseminate siloed AM and PM data across systems, protecting data breaches, redundancies, inconsistencies, and errors. As such, blockchain technology can revolutionize the human identification process worldwide in terms of managing missing person lists, AM data repositories for living people, PM data repositories of recovered unidentified victims, and contribute to the comparison of compatible biological profiles for definitive identification. Using real-world scenarios, the authors propose a number of promising use cases to attain a holistic understanding of the challenges, and present how blockchain technology meets such challenges and facilitates multi-jurisdictional data information-sharing in conjunction with the forthcoming circulation of patients’ electronic medical and dental records.

DISASTER VICTIM IDENTIFICATION (DVI) TRAINING FOR MEDICAL STUDENT

Background: Disaster victim identification (DVI) is a process of identifying the victim who died due to the disaster. Deaths due to disasters can be classified as victims of open disasters and victims of closed disasters. In the open disasters the process of identification is more difficult. Based on regulation of law in Indonesia, the identification is intended to fulfil human rights to identity, dignity and social status, autonomy rights such as inheritance, marital status, religion, insurance or other legal and social issues. Aims: The purpose of this curriculum study is to provide an overview of the DVI training process for medical students. Curriculum Discussion: Given the importance of the identification process it is necessary to be included in the medical education curriculum. The DVI training to identify victims of mass disasters uses the DVI Interpol standard. Faculty of Medicine Universitas Syiah Kuala has conducted training and simulations of DVI for medical student since 2009 until 2019. A total of 1995 students in this period have participated in the training. The DVI training for medical students is very needed as an addition to the competence of doctors in the field of disaster management. Conclusion: By joining this training, medical students have sufficient medical skills to assist in the process of DVI.

Forensic Medicine: A source and pathway of recognition in disaster victim identification

A mass fatality is commonly construed as a hazardous event resulting in a large number of martyr victims who needs to be identified and subjected to medico legal investigation. During the hazardous consequences of mass fatality incident, it is a necessity to identify the accused sensitively so as to provide judicial assurance and a support to the family members. DVI (Disaster victim identification) team work in an interdisciplinary manner, engaging the services of experts in various disciplines, comprising of forensic medicine, pathologists, anthropologists, odontologists, radiologists, fingerprint and DNA experts to substitute the work in the examination of victims. In accordance to the internationally recognized INTERPOL (International police) DVI guide, the basic quality of standards should be applied and victims must be treated with dignity and respect. This paper focuses on the dynamic applications and significance of forensic medicine which acts as an efficient source of recognition, particularly in the DVI process in setting up a procedure for temporary controlled burial for all the unidentified remains. Different case studies included in this paper reveals the fact that the extensive field of forensic medicine provides a pathway in linking the victims and managing the fatality. Further the reviews relating this field are incorporated in this domain.

Belgium experience in disaster victim identification applied in handling terrorist attack at Brussels Airport 2016

The Belgian disaster victim identification (DVI) team is involved in many investigations in our country. Indeed, this specialized team of the federal police oversees searching for and investigating criminally buried dead bodies, identification of unknown putrefied corpses, and more. The Belgian DVI team also assists with the identification of victims of mass disasters (natural, accidental, and mass murders). In this article, we consider the contributions of different teams (forensic pathology, anthropology, and odontology, federal police, and crime scene investigation) both on the scene of the attack at the Brussels National Airport (Zaventem) and in the laboratory work (autopsies, sample studies).

Forensic odontology identification response to terrorist attacks in Paris November 2015

The terrorist attacks of November 2015 led to the immediate death of 129 victims admitted to the Legal and Forensic Medicine Institute of Paris, including 41 unidentified. During the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) operations, 22 bodies were examined by the postmortem (PM) dental team with the aim of establishing PM odontograms. At the same time, the dental expert in the antemortem (AM) unit collected a large number of dental files, progressively filtered as the list of missing persons became reduced. Feedback from these events has highlighted the difficulties of implementing the DVI chain principles in a legal framework, published the day before the attacks, and also the technical complexity of collecting dental data on a week end of terror. The return on experience after this event has represented a paradigm shift on previous methods of DVI in Paris and even more in France. Indeed, the victim identification procedure was redesigned, integrating new technical means such as a CT scan directly on spot, allowing the extraction of maxillofacial data as soon as possible in order to support the PM dental examination team. Moreover, the National Dental Council proceeded to the overall remodeling of the dental identification unit, which is composed of trained members, from local, regional and national aspects. These forensic experts are dedicated, at the request of the legal authorities, to DVI operations and deployed throughout the country capable of managing AM and PM data. This unit aims also to share experiences and awareness-raising among health professionals and investigators in order to optimize a better submission of AM elements and also to enhance the major interest of odontology as a primary identifier in disaster.

Consular Crisis Management Operations: Special Considerations and Challenges.

Assisting the increasing number of tourists and foreign nationals exposed to crises situations in third countries-many of them far from home and extremely vulnerable-presents significant challenges. Despite the need to explore consular crisis management from an operational perspective, there are few studies that address the issue. This paper aims to describe the characteristics and context of consular crisis management operations based on personal experiences, scientific papers, grey literature, and key informant interviews.Consular crisis management operations are conducted in a context where the stakeholders and the legal environment may differ from humanitarian or civil protection operations. The physical distance causes logistical challenges and demands specific considerations for both civilian and medical evacuation. Consular crisis management operations often include medical care, psychosocial support activities, and disaster victim identification (DVI) activities. Political and media interest may also add significant challenges to such operations. Therefore, specific knowledge, skills, and preparations are needed for both diplomatic crisis management professionals and health professionals. Further research on consular crisis management activities-as well as the concept of consular crisis management itself-is strongly needed.

Personal experience of Forensic evidence and solutions: A case series in a Forensic Odontology frame work

Globally, challenges are faced in the field of Forensic Odontology and there is a need for correct training in the subject. There is an overlap with the justice system and the subject has its application disaster victim identification (DVI) scenario. The current article presents cases series which will give an insight on how a dental expert can obtain, analyse and present oral evidence. These cases are compilation of personal experience during authors posting as Dental Health Officer, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Karnataka. The series of cases presented shall be of interest to all the readers, especially for budding Forensic Odontologists, as they have to be prepared to be present as an expert witness in the Court of Law. An insight to DVI is also added for highlighting how forensic odontologist can gain from cases discussed in the current article.

Feasibility of use of medical dual energy scanner for forensic detection and characterization of explosives, a phantom study.

Detection of explosives is a challenge due to the use of improvised and concealed bombs. Post-bomb strike bodies are handled by emergency and forensic teams. We aimed to determine whether medical dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) algorithm and prediction model can readily detect and distinguish a range of explosives on the human body during disaster victim identification (DVI) processes of bombings. A medical DECT of 8 explosives (Semtex, Pastex, Hexamethylene triperoxide diamine, Acetone peroxide, Nitrocellulose, Pentrite, Ammonium Nitrate, and classified explosive) was conducted ex-vivo and on an anthropomorphic phantom. Hounsfield unit (HU), electron density (ED), effective atomic number (Zeff), and dual energy index (DEI),were compared by Wilcoxon signed rank test. Intra-class (ICC) and Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were computed. Explosives classification was performed through a prediction model with test-retest samples. Except for DEI (p = 0.036), means of HU, ED, and Zeff were not statistically different (p > 0.05) between explosives ex-vivo and on the phantom (r > 0.80). Intra- and inter-reader ICC were good to excellent: 0.806 to 0.997 and 0.890, respectively. Except for the phantom DEI, all measurements from each individual explosive differed significantly. HU, ED, Zeff, and DEI differed depending on the type of explosive. Our decision tree provided Zeff and ED for explosives classification with high accuracy (83.7%) and excellent reliability (100%). Our medical DECT algorithm and prediction model can readily detect and distinguish our range of explosives on the human body. This would avoid possible endangering of DVI staff.