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

TY - JOUR

T1 - The role of forensic anthropology in disaster victim identification (DVI)

T2 - recent developments and future prospects

AU - de Boer, Hans H.

AU - Blau, Soren

AU - Delabarde, Tania

AU - Hackman, Lucina

PY - 2018/10/2

Y1 - 2018/10/2

N2 - 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, close collaboration with a range of forensic specialists.

AB - 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, close collaboration with a range of forensic specialists.

KW - Forensic science

KW - forensic anthropology

KW - disaster victim

KW - human identification

KW - mass fatality

KW - Bayes

KW - radiology

KW - dead body management

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85076901962&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1080/20961790.2018.1480460

DO - 10.1080/20961790.2018.1480460

M3 - Review article

AN - SCOPUS:85076901962

VL - 4

SP - 303

EP - 315

JO - Forensic Sciences Research

JF - Forensic Sciences Research

SN - 2096-1790

IS - 4

ER -