Disaster Victims Research Articles

Forensic anthropology, disaster victim identification and forensic radiology

Forensic anthropology, disaster victim identification and forensic radiology

Artificial Intelligence and Identification of the Deceased: a Narrative Review With Implications in Forensic Science.

Identification of the dead is of utmost importance in mass disasters, war crimes, and forensic examinations. The biological profile, established by a forensic anthropologist is one the necessary steps involved in the identification of the dead. Several parameters can be estimated such as sex, age, stature, biogeographical affinity, and DNA profile of the unknown person. It is crucial to estimate these parameters of identification which may narrow down the investigation process. On the other hand, Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the modern world is showing magical uses in different fields. This communication aims to highlight the uses of AI tools for predicting parameters such as sex, age, stature, biogeographical affinity, and DNA profile of unknown persons with more accuracy and in less time. A literature search was conducted using databases PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect for analyzing the use of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning algorithms for establishing the biological profile in disaster victim identification (DVI) and forensic casework. Moreover, this research foresees a paradigm shift in investigative techniques as technology advances, highlighting the convergence of AI and anthropological ideas for an improved understanding of the biological profiles of unknown deceased individuals.

Forensic sex classification by convolutional neural network approach by VGG16 model: accuracy, precision and sensitivity.

In the reconstructive phase of medico-legal human identification, the sex estimation is crucial in the reconstruction of the biological profile and can be applied both in identifying victims of mass disasters and in the autopsy room. Due to the inherent subjectivity associated with traditional methods, artificial intelligence, specifically, convolutional neural networks (CNN) may present a competitive option. This study evaluates the reliability of VGG16 model as an accurate forensic sex prediction algorithm and its performance using orthopantomography (OPGs). This study included 1050 OPGs from patients at the Santa Maria Local Health Unit Stomatology Department. Using Python, the OPGs were pre-processed, resized and similar copies were created using data augmentation methods. The model was evaluated for precision, sensitivity, F1-score and accuracy, and heatmaps were created. The training revealed a discrepancy between the validation and training loss values. In the general test, the model showed a general balance between sexes, with F1-scores of 0.89. In the test by age group, contrary to expectations, the model was most accurate in the 16-20 age group (90%). Apart from the mandibular symphysis, analysis of the heatmaps showed that the model did not focus on anatomically relevant areas, possibly due to the lack of application of image extraction techniques. The results indicate that CNNs are accurate in classifying human remains based on the generic factor sex for medico-legal identification, achieving an overall accuracy of 89%. However, further research is necessary to enhance the models' performance.

Shipping Containers as Temporary Shelters in Post-Disaster Scenarios: Flying Factories

After the recent earthquakes in Turkey, there has been a significant demand for temporary shelter. Issues such as the availability of emergency shelters, designated emergency assembly areas, and the lack of social networks have come to the forefront. Due to the construction industry's inability to produce the necessary quantity of prefabricated temporary housing, the Ministry of Trade imposed a three-month ban on the export of prefabricated structures in 2023. The limited availability of emergency assembly areas renders low-density temporary settlements unfeasible. For disaster victims, leaving their homes does not provide a solution to overcoming the trauma they have experienced; in fact, it can exacerbate other economic, social, and security issues. Reusable shipping containers can partially address the problem of temporary shelter by utilizing the concept of flying factories. This research proposes a model that encompasses both technical and social phases, including the creation of technical documentation prior to a disaster and aiming for a participatory production model in the aftermath. The establishment of temporary logistics and production facilities is crucial and should be driven by volunteer participation under the guidance of professionals. Additionally, this model includes training and coordination activities before a disaster as part of the execution plan. Through this study, which incorporates both physical and social dimensions, an integrated solution is proposed based on the identification of challenges faced after recent disasters.

Welfare-oriented and public health-aware disaster sheltering network design

While evacuation along with opening public shelters is vital to save the lives of disaster survivors, many of them run the risk of refusing evacuation thereby jeopardising their safety. The primary reason for taking such a risk is the inferior conditions commonly experienced in public shelters, including the noise of crowds, constant lighting, privacy concerns, and safety apprehensions, combined with the absence of other viable sheltering options. Moreover, the potential transmission of infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis and COVID-19, deters disaster victims further from seeking refuge in these public shelters. In this study, we propose a four-echelon network design to allow for small capacity shelters that can enhance welfare and public health. A two-stage stochastic mixed-integer linear programming model is formulated to optimise the selection of opening nodes in each of the four echelons under different disaster scenarios, in addition to determining the logistical operations. This model considers the tradeoff between maximising total welfare-enhanced sheltering occupancy and minimising associated costs. A novel problem-specific scenario-based cutting-plane algorithm is developed to efficiently solve the model while providing practical advantages. The effectiveness of our developed approach is demonstrated through a case study in Texas – the most disaster-prone state in the United States.

Da prática para a teoria e a capacitação para evacuação aeromédica de vítimas de desastres envolvendo agentes químicos, biológicos, radiológicos e nucleares

The Brazilian Air Force carries out aeromedical evacuation (EVAM) of victims of disasters involving chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear agents - CBRN). Objective: to carry out a qualitative analysis on training to work in EVAM that involves CBRN agents in the perception of health professionals with real experiences. Method: qualitative, exploratory and descriptive research, carried out through semi-structured interviews. Results: From the sample studied, it was found that the experiences contributed to the review of training to act in new situations. Preparation for action was considered very good in most evaluations, requiring training with specific equipment and PPE. Conclusion: Updating training is important for team safety and effective care. Implications for health and nursing: the role of the nurse researcher/instructor stood out due to the importance of using research to plan the training and preparation of EVAM in crisis situations, which is a new area of care.

Evaluating genome-wide and targeted forensic sequencing approaches to kinship determination.

Kinship determination is a valuable tool in forensic genetics, with applications including familial searching, disaster victim identification, and investigative genetic genealogy. Conventional typing of small numbers of autosomal short tandem repeats (STRs) confidently identifies only first-degree relatives. Massively parallel sequencing (MPS) can access more STRs and resolve alleles identical by length but differing in sequence (isoalleles), which may increase the power of kinship estimation, particularly when combined with additional sequenced single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) loci, as in the ForenSeq DNA Signature Prep kit. MPS sequencing of ∼10,000 SNPs is available in the ForenSeq Kintelligence kit, promising detection of more distant kin, while SNP chips carrying hundreds of thousands of markers increase resolution still further. Here we evaluate these different resolutions in a set of pedigrees, and via simulations. As expected, the key factor influencing the precision of kinship estimation is the number of markers analysed and MPS-based analysis of STRs increases resolution, with the full set of ForenSeq DNA Signature Prep kit markers allowing detection of third-degree relatives. Since SNP chips include non-autosomal (X- and Y-chromosomal, and mitochondrial [mtDNA]) markers, we ask how these perform within the pedigrees, cross-referencing to Y-STR sequence data. We highlight the importance of understanding haplogroup resolutions in the increasingly complex Y and mtDNA phylogenies, to avoid false exclusions. Incorporation of X-SNPs allows tracing of X-chromosome segments within families. These different approaches can add value to kinship estimation, but some require simpler bioinformatic interfaces to make them more widely accessible in practice, and also access to appropriate allele frequency data to avoid problems associated with ancestry mis-specification.

Exploring PCR Methodologies in Forensic DNA Profiling

Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) techniques have revolutionized forensic DNA analysis, enabling the precise amplification of trace DNA samples. This abstract provides a concise overview of the pivotal role of PCR in forensic science. It delves into the principles of PCR, emphasizing its ability to amplify specific DNA sequences with remarkable sensitivity and specificity. Multiplex PCR, a variant technique, allows for simultaneous amplification of multiple genetic loci, enhancing the efficiency of forensic investigations. This abstract further highlights the broad applications of PCR in criminal investigations, paternity testing, and disaster victim identification. Recent advancements, such as MiniSTRs and Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), are elucidated for their crucial contributions in addressing challenging forensic scenarios. Despite its instrumental role, PCR-based DNA analysis is not without challenges, with considerations including DNA contamination and low-template samples. The abstract concludes with aforward-looking perspective on the emerging field of forensic epigenetics and metagenomic analysis, offering a glimpse into the promising future of PCR techniques in forensic DNA analysis. PCR stands as an indispensable tool in modern forensic science, unraveling genetic identities from the most minute of genetic traces.

Review of sustainable temporary housing and reuse strategy for post-disaster architectures: current trends and strategic gaps

Sustainable temporary architecture after a disaster includes temporary buildings designed to meet the emergency housing needs of disaster victims. This approach minimizes the use of waste and natural resources, reduces the environmental impact, and assumes an important responsibility to maintain the long-term ecological balance. Within the scope of this research, comprehensive and systematic results are presented by analyzing disaster issues with the “reuse” strategy, which has started to be frequently encountered in the current literature. The studies were scanned in the Web of Science and Scopus databases under the heading “Title//Keywords,” and the data were analyzed in detail. The findings indicate research trends in the literature and gaps for future research. The results highlight the innovative approach for sustainable post-disaster temporary architecture in the context of reuse strategies and present the field’s challenges, limitations, and opportunities. This study is expected to help researchers, practitioners, experts, and politicians understand the evolutionary implications of disaster reuse strategies and develop other theoretical and practical initiatives that can be applied in this field.

From Normal to Disaster Response Mode: How Can Virtual Communities Reconfigure Themselves to Respond Effectively to a Disaster?

ABSTRACTDuring a disaster, many people seek information from virtual communities. However, information overload, falsehoods and unrelated topics hinder information flow in virtual communities, putting disaster victims at risk. Given many disasters are generally of a short duration, we explore how virtual communities can quickly reconfigure themselves to respond effectively to a disaster. Drawing on risk society theory, our findings suggest reconfiguration is done via a series of cycles initially involving community members and subsequently featuring both community members and moderators working together to mitigate risks. We contribute to virtual community discourse on disaster response by showing how a virtual community can configure IT features to bring about change. Practically, we find transforming a virtual community from a normal to a disaster response mode requires (1) creating a controlled information hub, (2) promoting identity revelation and (3) allowing for temporary emergent hyperlocal leadership. While earlier IS research suggests that anonymity, openness and geographical dispersion are important for information dissemination in virtual communities, we suggest these practices may need to be changed during a disaster.

The current state of using post-mortem computed tomography for personal identification beyond odontology - A systematic literature review.

Individual identification of unknown deceased is a vital function carried out by medical professionals, thus many tools have been developed or tested towards its end. One of the tools tested and still being tested is post-mortem computed tomography [PMCT]. This review aims to summarise the current state of using PMCT for personal identification beyond odontology. We found that most medicolegal researchers had a positive view of using PMCT for individual identification or for disaster victim identification. They have shown PMCT scans can be compared with a wide range of AM material - ante-mortem computed tomography [AMCT] scans, AM radiographs, or even textual AM medical history - for a successful identification. The use of textual medical history suggests the potential to create an artificial intelligence model that could quickly highlight areas of comparison. Anatomical body structures, pathological changes, or foreign bodies provide bases of comparison when using PMCT for individual identification. We found most (79 %) researchers have used qualitative methods to compare PMCT with AM material. Likewise, researchers so far have focussed on the axial skeleton (sans pelvis) when testing the viability of comparing specific body structures between AM material and PMCT scans. More body structures remain to be tested for their viability in personal identification, especially using quantitative methods.

Victim Verification with the Use of Deep Metric Learning in DVI System Supported by Mobile Application

This paper presents the design of a system to support the identification of victims of disasters and terrorist attacks. The system, called ID Victim (IDV), is a web application using a mobile app and data server. The DVI (Disaster Victim Identification) procedure, an international standard developed by Interpol, is used. The purpose of the IDV system is to facilitate and expedite the process of determining victims’ identities. A neural identification module was developed and trained on approximately 13,000 images from the LFW dataset and fine-tuned using 400 simulated PostMortem (PM) and AnteMortem (AM) images. Postmortem data include photographs of victims while antemortem data consist of pre-disaster photos of potential victims. The module generates a hypothesis, linking PM to AM, which is then verified. The module achieved test identification accuracy of up to 60% for 25 sample PM and AM sets. The system partially automates photo comparisons by DVI teams, improving efficiency, reducing identification time, and limiting the exposure of operators to graphic images. Implementing the system as a mobile application accelerates the process by enabling direct data entry during victim examinations on-site.

Trajectories and Influencing Factors of Post-Traumatic Stress in Disaster-Affected People According to Their Income Level: A Longitudinal Study in South Korea.

Disasters often have long-lasting effects on the mental health of people affected by them. This study aimed to examine the trajectories and predictors of mental health in people affected by disasters according to their income level. This study used data from the "Long-Term Survey on the Change of Life of Disaster Victim" conducted by the National Disaster Management Research Institute. Latent growth curve modeling and multigroup analysis were employed on 699 participants. Individuals in the low-income class had a higher post-traumatic stress (PTS) intercept than those in the middle-high-income class. The PTS intercept was increased by unmet health care needs and financial hardship caused by disasters and was decreased by health care support. Social support, which was low in the low-income class, did not affect their PTS level; however, it lowered the PTS intercept in the middle-high-income class. These results suggest that it is important to address the mental health of disaster survivors by providing sufficient disaster relief services and compensation to ensure that disasters do not further exacerbate social inequalities. It is also crucial to provide emotional, informational, and material support using local community resources for those who have less or no access to in-person social networks.

Criminology of Disasters: Natural Disaster Victim Identification Issues in the Philippines and Vietnam

Criminology of Disasters: Natural Disaster Victim Identification Issues in the Philippines and Vietnam

Juridical Analysis of the Concept of State Responsibility towards Natural Disaster Victims Based on Indonesian Law Number 24 of 2007 on Disaster Management

This research aims to analyze the concept of state responsibility towards natural disaster victims. Case study on the impact of the earthquake in West Sulawesi in 2021. The approach used is a philosophical approach. The research method used is a mixed qualitative and quantitative approach. The primary data used consists of interview data conducted with the Head of the BPBD of West Sulawesi Province, the Head of the Social Service of West Sulawesi Province, the Head of Law and Human Rights of West Sulawesi, and the community victims of Natural Disasters in West Sulawesi Province. The secondary data used includes (1) Primary legal materials, which are all related regulations such as the 1945 Constitution and Law No. 39 of 1999 on Human Rights. (2) Secondary legal materials, which provide explanations of primary legal materials in the form of laws written in journals by legal scholars, and theories or opinions of experts such as the theories used, namely the theory of state responsibility, the theory of legal protection, and the theory of human rights. (3) Tertiary legal materials, which provide guidance in the form of dictionaries, encyclopedias, and books that explain primary and secondary legal materials. The research results show that the sustainability of victim handling and the effectiveness of social assistance guarantee implementation are influential factors on the state's responsibility towards natural disaster victims. The importance of human rights-based policies, coordination between the central, provincial, and regional governments, and the fulfillment of basic needs to ensure the state's responsibility towards victims are met.

A sustainable crowdfunding model for natural disaster victims

A sustainable crowdfunding model for natural disaster victims

Nutritional enrichment from Bali sardinella (Sardinella lemuru) head meal in fish crackers as emergency food

Various natural disasters occur frequently in Indonesia, such as heavy floods, tornadoes, landslides, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis, which disrupt access to the facilities and infrastructure necessary for clothing and food needs. Emergency food is an essential alternative for victims of natural disasters because of its long shelf-life and high nutritional content. Crackers are classified as emergency foods because of their ease of transport and extended storage period. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal concentration of Bali sardinella head flour based on the nutritional characteristics of fish crackers as a food source. The method used was a completely randomized design with five treatments varying with the addition of Bali sardinella head meal: 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20%. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and a color reader for color analysis. The best results were in 5% of Bali sardinella head flour in fish crackers by proximate analysis with protein, lipid, moisture, ash, and carbohydrate was 4.93±0.46bc, 12.81±0.25d, 11.43±0.59b, 5.19±0.59b, 65.64±0.99a, for dietary fiber was 4.03±0.01b, color properties consist of Lightness (L) 58.15±0.07d, A 11.00±0.00, B 27.15±0.07. This study provides valuable insights into the nutritional composition of Bali sardinella head meal in fish crackers.

The role of forensic anthropologist in mass disaster: a bibliometric analysis

ABSTRACT Mass disasters often claim many lives, and it is the response of the disaster victim identification team to recover and identify the deceased effectively in order to bring closure to the families and to reduce the time and cost of the operation. However, the role of forensic anthropologists in mass disasters is not often recognized during the early phase of disaster and results in delays in identification. The main objective of this dissertation is to analyse the publication related to the role of forensic anthropologists in mass disasters. Articles were searched from the Scopus database and analysed through R script with biblioshiny and Microsoft Excel. A total of 139 articles were analysed for publication trends. The results include analysis of publication, citation, authors’ affiliation, authors’ collaboration and authors’ production over time from 1989 to 2024. Overall, the results revealed significant clusters of publications over the years, suggesting a gradual upward trend in mass disaster research. The increasing trend of publications indicates the rise in recognition of forensic anthropologists’ contribution to mass disasters.

Decoding Interpersonal Communication Patterns among Climate Disaster Victims: A Case Study of 2024 Glacier Burst Floods in Kumrat Valley, Pakistan

Aim of the Study: This study based on interpersonal communication patterns among the climate disaster victims during and after floods induced by glacier burst during 2024 in Kumrat Valley of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in Pakistan. It has examined the interpersonal interactions among the directly-affected (living downstream) and indirectly-affected people (living upstream) in the region. Methodology: The researchers adopted participant observation, a qualitative research method. The population of the study was glacier burst victims in Kumrat Valley, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The researchers adopted purposive sampling and approached the study sample in the localities of Kalkot, Doon Seri, and Thall villages in the Kumrat Valley. The researchers reached data saturation level after conducting semi-structured interviews of ten (10) individuals, who were directly affected by the glacier burst. Findings: The study findings reflected that the directly-affected people primarily communicated to each other to ensure their safety and survival, whereas indirectly-affected individuals utilized it to rescue victims and provide them shelter, food and medicine. Post-disaster communication strategies among both type of victims included stress mitigation and emotional support, and collective conscious for recovery efforts. Conclusion: The common patterns emphasized restoration of infrastructure, access to external markets, and fostering resilience through awareness on climate change and its mitigation. The study has also put forth its recommendations that include strengthening telecommunication infrastructure, localized early cautioning systems, communal training in emergency response, psychological wellbeing initiatives, and awareness campaigns on sustainable practices.

Inferring Distant Relationships From Dense SNP Data Utilizing Two Genealogy Algorithms.

A highly esteemed method known as investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) has been developed to identify DNA samples from forensic crime scenes and human remains of disaster victims. With the advent of next-generation sequencing, it is now feasible to access information on millions of SNPs typed in a single sequencing run that fulfill the requirements for kinship inference. However, challenges such as the poor quality of forensic samples, the high cost associated with sequencing technology, and privacy concerns regarding large-scale genetic databases remain unresolved in this field. In the present study, we validated the identification of relationships up to the seventh degree using two genealogy algorithms (IBIS and KING) under various parameter settings. This was accomplished through whole genome sequencing data derived from two southern Chinese Han pedigrees during an initial phase, while also exploring workflows adapted for low-quality samples. To achieve this objective, low-coverage whole genome sequencing data were downsampled from high-coverage original datasets; additionally, mimic SNP array data-containing less information but offering greater accessibility-were prepared as reference samples. Through a series of experimental analyses, we not only validate the applicability of selected processing procedures and inference tools for low-coverage samples but also proposed that a meticulously crafted site filtering strategy can significantly improve the accuracy of kinship identification. This acknowledges the necessity for further systematic evidence in future research endeavors.