Panel 2.16: Forensic Aspects of Disaster Fatality Management

Abstract

This is a summary of the presentations and discussion of Panel 2.16, Forensic Aspects of Disaster Fatality Management of the Conference, Health Aspects of the Tsunami Disaster in Asia, convened by the World Health Organization (WHO) in Phuket, Thailand, 04–06 May 2005. The topics discussed included issues related to forensic aspects that pertain to the responses to the deaths created by the Earthquake and Tsunami. It is presented in the following major sections: (1) overview of victim identification; (2) resource factors in mass-fatality management; (3) mass-fatality management in protecting public health; and (4) reasons to use deoyxribose nucleic acid (DNA) to identify the deceased.

Managing Mass Fatalities during COVID‐19: Lessons for Promoting Community Resilience during Global Pandemics

“…When mass fatalities are mismanaged, there are grave emotional and mental health consequences that can delay the recovery process and undermine community resilience (Tun et al , 456–457). Indeed, when families are unable to claim the remains of their loved ones or hold funeral services, psychological and emotional tolls can be exacerbated, as there is neither a proper burial nor a confirmation of death (Tun et al , 456–57; Williams and Crews ). This delays the mourning process, making it difficult for communities to return to a state of normalcy and be resilient (Tun et al , 456–57).…”

“…Indeed, when families are unable to claim the remains of their loved ones or hold funeral services, psychological and emotional tolls can be exacerbated, as there is neither a proper burial nor a confirmation of death (Tun et al , 456–57; Williams and Crews ). This delays the mourning process, making it difficult for communities to return to a state of normalcy and be resilient (Tun et al , 456–57). Resilience most commonly refers to the ability to respond to and quickly bounce back from disruptions and stressors, such as the COVID‐19 pandemic.…”

The Role of Forensic Anthropology in Mass Fatality Incidents Management

“…The lack of separation into discrete racial groups of the unidentified victims is detrimental to the process (Tun et al 2005).…”

“…In fact, some disaster victim identification (DVI) and mass graves investigating teams, mainly in the United States and Latin America, include forensic anthropologists in their organic makeup (Jensen, 1999;Doretti and Snow 2002). Unfortunately, in recent years, several DVI teams involved in major disasters did not incorporate forensic anthropologists in their personnel; their presence could have resolved commingling problems and some initial faulty identifications reported in the literature (Labovich et al 2003;Lain, Griffiths, and Hilton 2003;James 2005;Tun et al 2005).…”

The need for innovation in deathcare leadership

“…Refrigeration trailers lined city streets and bodies were stacked in warehouses and processed by people in hazmat suits (Davies, 2020). As complex disasters such as the COVID-19 pandemic become more commonplace, deathcare practices need to move beyond the status quo to ensure mental, physical and emotional stresses of death are tended to (Tun et al, 2005). Communicating these elements during crises is critical to build trust among stakeholders (Baker and Hernandez, 2017).…”