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

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.

Joint Genetic Analyses of Mitochondrial and Y-Chromosome Molecular Markers for a Population from Northwest China

“…Its rapid mutation rate, lacking recombination, maternal inheritance and high polymorphism, make mtDNA loci the reasonable marker system for analyzing maternal genetic relationships among different ethnic groups. Compared with nuclear DNA, mtDNA has great advantages in forensic applications for testing highly degraded, damaged, or trace amounts of biological samples [12] due to its high copy numbers per cell, which improves the success rate of mtDNA detection [11].…”

Modern advances in disaster victim identification

“…The location of such remains is a very obvious essential prerequisite to the long process that in identification. As mentioned by de Boer et al [4], while some of these technologies are reasonably considered to be accurate and reliable enough to be sufficient for identification in their own right (sometimes referred to as "primary identifiers"), it is reasonable to think that all the technologies should be taken into account in all situations and that the methodology in any incident should be on the basis of a multidisciplinary team approach given that every disaster is different and it may not be possible to determine early in the response period which of the methodologies will be more effective in producing the definitive identification result. It is encouraging to realise that research into many of these technologies continues around the world and is the subject of extensive investigation, discussion and application both through the various working groups of the INTERPOL DVI community as well as in those forensic environments in which other processes are used.…”

“…The role of the forensic anthropologist continues to be enhanced by the presence of ever improving methodology together with the application of significant primary and applied research which allows this scientific approach to be particularly enhancing in the context of such an investigative process. In an extensive summary of the role of forensic anthropology in DVI, de Boer et al [4] have illustrated the value of quality forensic anthropological expertise both at the scene of the disaster and in subsequent postmortem examination. This has been endorsed in the recent appendix on the use of forensic anthropology in DVI in the 2018 INTERPOL DVI Guide [5].…”

“…This has been endorsed in the recent appendix on the use of forensic anthropology in DVI in the 2018 INTERPOL DVI Guide [5]. de Boer et al [4] have also included the value of education and training in this specialty together with the advantage of including the identification of survivors in the context of many mass fatality incidents.…”

A mobile DNA laboratory for forensic science adapted to coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis

“…In 2015, the French "Gendarmerie Nationale" patented (FR3050945B1) a Mobil'DNA lab for genetic forensic analysis which allows magistrates and investigators to quickly obtain genetic results. This mobile laboratory is transportable as close as possible to scenes of disasters, complex crime scenes or to places where people in police custody are gathered [5]. It has already been used for the identification of the victims of the GermanWings (2015) air crash and the 2016 Nice terror attack [6] where it carried out several hundred analyses per day.…”