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Interpol DVI best practice standards - An overview
Abstract
A description of the International Criminal Police Organization and its role in disaster victim identification is provided along with a summary of the standards developed and circulated to responders in INTERPOL member countries (188 throughout the world) to insure evidence-based DVI practices. Following the INTERPOL-mediated DVI response in 2005 to the SE Asia tsunami, many lessons learned have been recorded. Based on these current standards, INTERPOL's approach to DVI reflects a modern approach and philosophy.
... Several studies on procedures adopted for disaster victim identification (DVI) can be found in the literature [1][2][3][4]. A massive disaster is defined as an unexpected event that causes the death of many people. ...
... Immediately after the disaster, the lead authority (the police or others depending on the region and jurisdic tion) assumes the command responsibility for the disas ter and makes the first decisions that will influence the next phases of the DVI process. They are responsible for analysing the situation with respect to the type of disaster, access to the area, estimated number of victims, acquisition of evidential material, and other logistical issues [2,5]. ...
... During the reconciliation phase, investigators are respon sible for matching PM with AM data to identify the victims. Once identification is successful, arrangements are made to return all human remains to the respective family [2,5]. ...
Depending on the magnitude and nature of a disaster, identifying the victims can be a complex task that requires coordinated work by disaster victim identification (DVI) teams based on pre-established protocols. Thus, the analysis of fingerprints has been presented as a method to establish, when possible, the identity of the victims during the DVI process. This study discusses the importance of this primary method of identification and the results obtained in four different disasters in which Brazilian DVI teams were involved: the Air France Flight AF447 plane crash in the Atlantic Ocean, floods and mudslides in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the LaMia Flight 2933 plane crash in Colombia, and the tailings dam collapse in Brumadinho, Brazil. Here, we also report the use of the automatic fingerprint capture and identification system, called Alethia, developed by the Federal Police of Brazil and used in the victim identification process in the two latter events mentioned above.
• Key points
• • This article presents four different disasters that occurred in Brazil and overseas and involved Brazilian DVI teams in the identification process, focusing on fingerprint identification (Air France Flight AF447, floods and mudslides in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, LaMia Flight 2933, and the Brumadinho tailings dam collapse).
• • This article also describes the evolution of the DVI process in Brazil, including a description of the technology currently used by Brazilian fingerprint experts (Alethia).
• • This article reports how the Alethia System was used in the disasters and how it optimized the human identification process when compared to traditional methods.
... Additional data like the sex and age is used if available. Extensive background and general guidelines for handling DVI problems are given in papers [6][7][8] . In this paper we restrict our attention to computational and statistical aspects of identification cases involving multiple victims, often called mass identifications in the literature. ...
... We use a proportional model with mutation rate 0.001 16 , mainly since it is stationary and hence calculations can be checked M 1 M 2 M 3 M 4 M 5 V 1 9.29e+02 9.03e-04 2.77e-01 V 2 6.75e-02 6.79e+04 6.66e-02 V 3 1.03e-04 3.82e-03 V 4 3.78e-05 3.19e+07 V 5 9.62e-04 3.92e-03 V 6 1.08e+06 1.29e-05 V 7 5.90e-04 1.90e-01 V 8 1.91e-04 2.72e-01 Table 6. Pairwise LRs for the plane crash example. ...
... 0.996 0.004 V 4 1.000 V 5 1.000 V 6 1.000 V 7 1.000 V 8 1.000 originate from different populations. This problem has previously been addressed in the context of familial searching 21 . ...
We address computational and statistical aspects of DNA-based identification of victims in the aftermath of disasters. Current methods and software for such identification typically consider each victim individually, leading to suboptimal power of identification and potential inconsistencies in the statistical summary of the evidence. We resolve these problems by performing joint identification of all victims, using the complete genetic data set. Individual identification probabilities, conditional on all available information, are derived from the joint solution in the form of posterior pairing probabilities. A closed formula is obtained for the a priori number of possible joint solutions to a given DVI problem. This number increases quickly with the number of victims and missing persons, posing computational challenges for brute force approaches. We address this complexity with a preparatory sequential step aiming to reduce the search space. The examples show that realistic cases are handled efficiently. User-friendly implementations of all methods are provided in the R package dvir, freely available on all platforms.
... If a DVM Committee exists, having the odontology coordinator involved is strongly advisable. Ad hoc protocols, equipment selection, and staff training after a disaster has occurred are not conducive to good quality assurance and operational control (Hinchcliffe, 2011;Sweet, 2010;Prieto et al., 2007). ...
... Disaster occurrence is unpredictable and does not follow a specific timeframe hence regular refresher team training exercises are advisable (Sweet, 2010). Different DVM events will encompass a range of legal, cultural, ethnic, religious, governmental, and community issues (Sahelangi and Novita, 2012;Hinchcliffe, 2011;Fitrasanti and Syukriani, 2009;Brannon and Morlang, 2002). ...
... First, the examination of the scene must take place. 1 Depending on the incident, it may take days to weeks for all victims and their property to be recovered. The Maui wildfires presented with many unique challenges, as individuals were dispersed across various environments, with some remains recovered from the ocean, and others recovered from differing burnt conditions. ...
... Finally, the reconciliation of the PM and AM data are made to confirm identity of those victims from the mass disaster (casualty) event. 1 While it is no surprise that DNA-based identity testing is a powerful tool for identifying those who lost their lives following a mass disaster, the complexity of mass disasters and the potential chaos in the recovery of human remains as well as the collection of reference DNA samples for comparison can convolute the process of victim identification. Since the onset of the wildfires, the Maui Coroner's Office has been assisted by a federal team of forensic experts who have mobilized from around the United States to assist in the identifications of the deceased. ...
... PI has been primarily useful in the areas of forensic science and criminal justice [1]. Additionally, PI has become more important in relation to the aging of developed countries and large-scale disasters related to global warming in recent years [1][2][3][4]. During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in 2020, ties between local communities and households have been tested, and households have separated from the safety nets provided by social networks [5]. ...
... The importance of PI methods and social systems has increased during this crisis. For timely identification of unidentified persons and bodies, the cooperation of community residents and related experts, such as police officers, rescue teams, medical doctors, and forensic scientists, is critical [1][2][3][4]. Further, there is an urgent need to develop objective methods based on digital technologies used for PI and to build a database of the use of these methods as social and institutional infrastructure [6]. ...
Background
Artificial intelligence is useful for building objective and rapid personal identification systems. It is important to research and develop personal identification methods as social and institutional infrastructure. A critical consideration during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic is that there is no contact between the subjects and personal identification systems. The aim of this study was to organize the recent 5-year development of contactless personal identification methods that use artificial intelligence.
Methods
This study used a scoping review approach to map the progression of contactless personal identification systems using artificial intelligence over the past 5 years. An electronic systematic literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and IEEE Xplore databases. Studies published between January 2016 and December 2020 were included in the study.
Results
By performing an electronic literature search, 83 articles were extracted. Based on the PRISMA flow diagram, 8 eligible articles were included in this study. These eligible articles were divided based on the analysis targets as follows: (1) face and/or body, (2) eye, and (3) forearm and/or hand. A rtificial intelligence, including convolutional neural networks, contributed to the progress of research on contactless personal identification methods .
Conclusions
This study clarified that contactless personal identification methods using artificial intelligence have progressed and that they have used information obtained from the face and/or body, eyes, and forearm and/or hand.
... They are sometimes defined as "primary" when based on fingerprints, DNA and odontological records. All the aforesaid methods are well accepted by the forensic community [5] and we have become accustomed to relying on them in mass disaster contexts, forgetting the existence of facial identification, which may be complex per se but can sometimes be reliable, and many times the only method applicable. De facto, in scenarios as the crisis concerning the identification of dead migrants no such AM data (for various reasons) but only images of the missing person may be available [6]. ...
... De facto, in scenarios as the crisis concerning the identification of dead migrants no such AM data (for various reasons) but only images of the missing person may be available [6]. Indeed, in cases where the next of kin cannot provide a suitable DNA sample or is not in close blood relation, images can play an invaluable role in the identification procedure, sometimes even sustaining genetic results if uncertain [4][5][6][7][8][9]. Recently, Olivieri et al. reported that the genetic analysis, when performable, many times cannot provide alone a high degree of certainty for the personal identification of migrant cadavers. ...
The crisis concerning the identification of dead migrants is forcing forensic scientists to deal with the unavailability of classical antemortem (AM) data such as radiological information and DNA. However many times there is abundant AM photographic data of which the availability and quality is underestimated. Independently of when facial image comparison can be used as a valid identification method, description of the unexpected quality and quantity of images in the scenario of unidentified migrant decedents is given in this observational study. It focuses on the overall characteristics of the AM images available for a group of 74 missing migrants related to the disaster of October 3rd, 2013.
394 images were collected: an average of 6 for each missing person. 18% are original pictures, 47.5% scans of original images, 9.9% scans of printed images while 9.4% downloaded from social networks such as Facebook. 42.7% of images resulted in focus. Among all the images, about the 10% has been used in the personal identification process to ascertain the identity of 22 persons, because of the visibility of identifying details (facial, dental and body features). The importance of such a finding should not be diminished by its simplicity. Today, those involved in collecting AM information from relatives of dead migrants are underestimating the possible presence of images, even in sub-Saharan populations, where, contrary to belief and data, technology, though simple, is available and images may turn out to be abundant and useful (and at times the only resort) for identification.
... The 76 Ling (2010b), Calcara ( , 2019a. 77 Sweet (2010). 78 Abbott and Sheehan (2013). ...
... 221 . 222 Sweet (2010). 223 . ...
With 194 members, INTERPOL is the most influential actor in matters of transnational policing. Regrettably, the organisation is vulnerable against cases of misuse. Certain states manage to exploit the tools of the organisation, to persecute and track political dissidents or non-aligned members of the media outside their borders. As such, INTERPOL has become a prime example on how non-democratic countries can exert their influence and expand their reach well beyond their domestic jurisdictions via their participation in international organisations. Not wanting to allow the proliferation of criminal havens in certain regions, the organisation has opted to connect with and bring together as many police forces of different states as possible. Evidently, such connections are created with little or no consideration of the state of criminal justice systems and forms of government of the countries involved, as well as any subsequent risks. Such a complex state of affairs demands a thorough reflection on whether it is acceptable to compromise between the need for security and the rights of individuals and procedural justice. The issue has vast legal and practical ramifications, and it is ultimately a question pertaining to the realm of global constitutionalism. Does INTERPOL have the legal authority to be in charge of finding a balance between security and procedural justice? If so, on what legal basis, and to what extent?
... The intersection of international migration law, international human rights law, and, as the European context, EU Law renders the legal aspects of family reunification for deceased migrants particularly intricate. Forensic science emerges as a crucial player in these circumstances, as it facilitates the legally necessary processes of identification [14][15][16][17][18][19]. This, in turn, allows the issuance of death certificates, which are indispensable legal documents, lacking sufficient flexibility in some national procedures. ...
The escalating phenomenon of migration, accompanied by a disturbing surge in associated tragedies, has persistently violated internationally protected human rights. Absence of physical evidence, namely the presence of adequately identified corpses, may impede the full enjoyment of human rights and—in some cases—the course of justice as it obstructs the initiation of legal proceedings against individuals implicated in causing such catastrophes. It also presents administrative obstacles, as death certificates are indispensable in legitimizing statuses like orphanhood and widowhood. Family reunification, particularly for orphans, plays a significant role for those attempting to reconnect with their relatives all over the world. Likewise, for mothers, the acknowledgment of their marital status or widowhood can be a pathway to regain their marginalized right to social life. To elucidate this issue, we analyzed six representative cases from the tragic October 3, 2013, shipwreck near the Italian island of Lampedusa, where 366 individuals were retrieved dead from the sea. These cases underscore the practical challenges involved, highlighting the compelling need for continued efforts to ensure that this burdensome problem transcends from being a mere ethical, moral, and legal discourse. Although considerable progresses, these cases also reveal that substantial work still lies ahead. There is a pressing need for improved mechanisms to certify kinship ties, which are often the limiting factor in many reunifications, and can hinder the granting of custody to children. The severity and far-reaching implications of this problem necessitate thoughtful attention and action, especially considering the ongoing escalation in migration and related fatalities.
... Personal identification is most commonly performed through genetic, fingerprint and dental analyses [3,4]: however, anthropological methods may be reliably applied thanks to the individualizing potential of anatomical structures of the skeleton [5], including paranasal sinuses. Paranasal sinuses are air spaces excavated in cranial bones (frontal, maxillary, sphenoid and ethmoid bone): once they reach the final configuration, their shape is highly variable and unique for each individual, and are therefore the ideal structure to use for personal identification [6][7][8]. ...
Paranasal sinuses represent one of the most individualizing structures of the human body and some of them have been already analyzed for possible applications to personal identification, such as the frontal and sphenoid sinuses. This study explores the application of 3D–3D superimposition to maxillary sinuses in personal identification. One hundred head CT-scans of adult subjects (equally divided among males and females) were extracted from a hospital database. Maxillary sinuses were segmented twice from each subject through ITK-SNAP software and the correspondent 3D models were automatically superimposed to obtain 100 matches (when they belonged to the same person) and 100 mismatches (when they were extracted from different individuals), both from the right and left side. Average RMS (root mean square) point-to-point distance was then calculated for all the superimpositions; differences according to sex, side, and group (matches and mismatches) were assessed through three-way ANOVA test (p < 0.017). On average, RMS values were lower in matches (0.26 ± 0.19 mm in males, 0.24 ± 0.18 mm in females) than in mismatches (2.44 ± 0.87 mm in males, 2.20 ± 0.73 mm in females) with a significant difference (p < 0.001). No significant differences were found according to sex or side (p > 0.017). The study verified the potential of maxillary sinuses as reliable anatomical structures for personal identification in the forensic context.
... За умов достатнього об'єму інформації та результатів аналізу, що підтверджують ідентичність відбувається останній четвертий етап реконсиляціїпроцедури контролю, який полягає у верифікації та перевірці виконання кожного із попередніх етапів та формулюванні висновків. Для проведення ефективної ідентифікації, відповідно до вимог рекомендацій DVIGuide, необхідне залучення наступних спеціалістів: судово-медичного експерта, судово-медичного стоматолога, експерта для проведення аналізу відбитків пальців, судовомедичного генетика, судово-медичного антрополога, та бажаним є повноцінне залучення наступної групи спеціалістів: фотографа, радіолога, команди реєстраторів, команди контролю якості збору та аналізу інформації, логістів, технологічної та програмної підтримки та ін., які забезпечують проведення процесу ідентифікації з використанням первинних та вторинних ознак [5][6]. При цьому, відповідно до критеріїв Interpol, ідентифікації повинна бути підтверджена обов'язковими позитивними результатами співставлення результатів дослідження хоча б однієї з первинних ознак (стоматологічний статусу, ДНК, відбитки пальців), сукупністю унікальних вторинних ознак, або ж комбінацією доказової інформації, отриманої з сукупності первинних і вторинних достовірних критеріїв порівняння [8][9][10][12][13]. ...
Postgraduate training in forensic medicine and dentistry involves the study of current issues related to the implementation of new approaches in victim’sidentification during mass disasters and professionals action within international and national analytical and informational programs and courses of identification according to the recommendations DVI / Interpol. World experience of functioning DVI argues the feasibility of using data of dental status in the process of identifying individuals, and the relevance of the specialty of forensic dentist, without the conclusion of which, formulare system output, and interpretation of data in Plass Data Software simply impossible. Integration with the use of specialized software Plass Data enhances competence forensic dentistry and forensic examination in terms of adapting the appliedmethodology and theoretical concepts identification of persons in accordancewith international standards and recommendations of the coordinating structures during events of emergencies of national and international sizes. This event not only contributes to actualization of methodological issues in this field, but development is already purchased, and the establishment of new international relations, which is an important factor in the possibility of postgraduate training of the specialists according to international criteria and norms using Interpol protocols and specialized software.
... This Guide, which is available in four languages (Arabic, English, French and Spanish) and has been revised regularly over the past thirty years, outlines the procedures used to positively identify victims of mass casualty incidents [5]. The aim of the Guide is to promote best practice and encourage all 194 members of INTERPOL to follow a common process to increase the effectiveness and timelines of identification efforts [6]. ...
A vital component of disaster management is the identification of the deceased. This chapter discusses the processes created by the International Criminal Policing Organization (INTERPOL) to undertake and standardize the disaster victim identification (DVI) process. Following a brief description of the basics of personal identification which involves the comparison of information about the individual when they were alive (ante-mortem data) with information obtained during the post-mortem examination of the deceased person (post-mortem data), a summary of each of the five phases of DVI as outlined in the INTERPOL DVI Guide is provided. The impact of different types and scales of disasters on identification is then discussed. The next part of the chapter examines some of the changes in practice that have occurred recently. Particular attention is given to technological advances that have improved processes at the scene (phase 1); practice in the mortuary (phase 2) including the implementation of medical imaging, and advances in dental, DNA and fingerprint identifications; the collection of ante-mortem data (phase 3), and the reconciliation of data (Phase 4). While DVI has focused on so-called primary methods of identification, the potential value of so-called secondary identification methods is discussed. The preservation of human remains following a disaster will be dependent on the type of disaster. However, there are numerous examples of disasters which have resulted in severely fragmented, compromised and/or commingled human remains. For this reason, the challenges associated with the recovery and management of fragmented human remains is considered. The final part of the chapter discusses the importance of debriefing (phase 5) following a disaster and acknowledges the potential mental and physical impact of the work on those involved in DVI operations.
... Since then, both Russia and Ukraine have incurred heavy losses, though there remains great discrepancy between the deaths reported by both nations. In recent joint international interventions following mass casualty incidents, the majority of [1][2][3][4][5][6]. In Ukraine, there are robust forensic infrastructures at local and national levels, with well educated, trained and experienced staff. ...
... The establishment of an individual's identity is an implication of human rights and must be performed through a scientific procedure of forensic identification. According to the Interpol Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) Guide, teeth are categorized as the primary human identifiers as well as DNA and fingerprints (1)(2)(3). Forensic odontologists play an essential role in the identification process through the examination of the dentition. Human dentition stores a variety of important information, such as sex, biological age, and DNA profile. ...
... Due to the exposure of human remains to extreme and destructive external forces and their biological decomposition, making such identifications based on the existing remains becomes a challenging process [21]. The 2014 INTERPOL Disaster Victim Identification Standards emphasizes that DNA analysis, friction ridge analysis, and forensic odontology methods are the primary, most reliable, and efficacious identification techniques [22]. The determination of biological gender is the initial stage in the identification process. ...
Panoramic Dental Radiography (PDR) image processing is one of the most extensively used manual methods for gender determination in forensic medicine. With the assistance of the PDR images, a person's biological gender determination can be performed through analyzing skeletal structures expressing sexual dimorphism. Manual approaches require a wide range of mandibular parameter measurements in metric units. Besides being time-consuming, these methods also necessitate the employment of experienced professionals. In this context, deep learning models are widely utilized in the auto-analysis of radiological images nowadays, owing to their high processing speed, accuracy, and stability. In our study, a data set consisting of 24,000 dental panoramic images was prepared for binary classification, and the transfer learning method was used to accelerate the training and increase the performance of our proposed DenseNet121 deep learning model. With the transfer learning method, instead of starting the learning process from scratch, the existing patterns learned beforehand were used. Extensive comparisons were made using deep transfer learning (DTL) models VGG16, ResNet50, and EfficientNetB6 to assess the classification performance of the proposed model in PDR images. According to the findings of the comparative analysis, the proposed model outperformed the other approaches by achieving a success rate of 97.25% in gender classification.
... These protocols enable positive, credible identification, using data collected from the scene, and from antemortem and postmortem investigations [6]. INTERPOL provides a paper-based system to support these protocols, with antemortem, postmortem and identification forms printed on different colours to avoid misinterpretation [7]; KMD provide a commercial system fully integrated with INTERPOL's DVI forms [8]. INTERPOL's forms and the KMD DVI System International focus primarily on managing and reconciling information about human remains. ...
Disaster victim identification (DVI) entails a protracted process of evidence collection and data matching to reconcile physical remains with victim identity. Technology is critical to DVI by enabling the linkage of physical evidence to information. However, labelling physical remains and collecting data at the scene are dominated by low-technology paper-based practices. We ask, how can technology help us tag and track the victims of disaster? Our response to this question has two parts. First, we conducted a human–computer interaction led investigation into the systematic factors impacting DVI tagging and tracking processes. Through interviews with Australian DVI practitioners, we explored how technologies to improve linkage might fit with prevailing work practices and preferences; practical and social considerations; and existing systems and processes. We focused on tagging and tracking activities throughout the DVI process. Using insights from these interviews and relevant literature, we identified four critical themes: protocols and training; stress and stressors; the plurality of information capture and management systems; and practicalities and constraints. Second, these findings were iteratively discussed by the authors, who have combined expertise across electronics, data science, cybersecurity, human–computer interaction and forensic pathology. We applied the themes identified in the first part of the investigation to critically review technologies that could support DVI practitioners by enhancing DVI processes that link physical evidence to information. This resulted in an overview of candidate technologies matched with consideration of their key attributes. This study recognises the importance of considering human factors that can affect technology adoption into existing practices. Consequently, we provide a searchable table (as Supplementary information) that relates technologies to the key considerations and attributes relevant to DVI practice, for readers to apply to their own context. While this research directly contributes to DVI, it also has applications to other domains in which a physical/digital linkage is required, and particularly within high stress environments with little room for error.
• Key points:
• Disaster victim identification (DVI) processes require us to link physical evidence and digital information. While technology could improve this linkage, experience shows that technological “solutions” are not always adopted in practice.
• Our study of the practices, preferences and contexts of Australian DVI practitioners suggests 10 critical considerations for these technologies.
• We review and evaluate 44 candidate technologies against these considerations and highlight the role of human factors in adoption.
... Moreover, the guidelines are updated according to the recent developments. [22] ...
In any mass disaster case, irrespective of type of disaster, victim identification is very substantial. This procedure is culmination of distinctive fields of forensic science including anthropology, odontology, radiology, and fingerprint and DNA analysis. All experts of these fields collaborate together and manifest their knowledge and expertise to identify the victims in a disaster. The review focuses on the discussion on identification of victims using different forensic tools and methodologies. The December 2004 tsunami disaster is used as an example to illustrate the working of forensic experts and methods and techniques used in identification of the victims. The newer methodologies and advancement in victim identification techniques are also discussed.
... The international disaster victim identification (DVI) response to the boxing day tsunami, led by the Royal Thai Police in Phuket, Thailand, was one of the largest and most complex in DVI history. Referred to as the Thai tsunami victim identification operation, the group comprised a multi-national, multi-agency, and multidisciplinary team [25]. The traditional DVI approach proved successful in identifying a large number of victims quickly [26]. ...
Europe is turning a blind eye on a humanitarian disaster unfolding at its doorsteps, with thousands of migrants dying unidentified in Mediterranean waters. Since 2014, Italy has been struggling in an almost indifferent international scenario to identify its dead migrants. Despite the lack of sufficient resources, of the difficulties in collecting post mortem data from the disseminated bodies, and of the problems of contacting and collecting ante mortem information from relatives, it has been proven, with a series of pilot studies, that not only can these bodies be identified but that relatives are also looking for their loved ones and need death certificates. This article focuses on the administrative limbo and lack of regulations obliging single states to engage in appropriate procedures to maximise identification.
... An absolute identification can be achieved through the primary biological sources such as, fingerprints, dental records and DNA which can be collected without invasive procedures being used 5 . A manual for disaster victim identification was first released by the International Police Organization (Interpol) in 1984 5,31 . This manual was updated periodically and the current version is available since 2018. ...
Disasters are always unpredictable irrespective of their origin. The loss of human lives is a common outcome of disasters. Along with the physical and emotional trauma sustained by the victims, there is the additional responsibility of handling the deceased. Though there is an exclusive component with the management of the dead in place the specific issue about identifying them is still a complex process. Humanitarian forensics especially involves handling, identifying and disposing the dead bodies. It requires the application of the principles of forensic sciences in a multidisciplinary way. The role of forensic odontologists and anthropologists is not only restricted to the scientific collection of dental data from the dead body but also the proper utilization of the antemortem dental data to successfully establish the identity of the deceased, either alone or combined with secondary characteristics. Elaborate and comprehensive information with justification on the role of dental data and forensic odontologists in the dignified management of the dead need to be highlighted to the Disaster Management authorities. Several International organizations have pointed out the importance of odontology features in human identification. Moreover, forensic odontologists and general dentists are also involved in the international disaster victim identification teams. The present article provides basic knowledge on disaster risk management and the institutional framework in Disaster Management and also highlights the role of forensic odontology in disaster victim identification. It calls for national and state disaster victim identification teams with the involvement of forensic odontologists.
... За умов достатнього об'єму інформації та результатів аналізу, що підвереджують ідентичність відбувається останній четвертий етап реконсиляції -процедури контролю, який полягає у верифікації та перевірці виконання кожного із попередніх етапів та формулюванні висновків. Для проведення ефективної ідентифікації, відповідно до вимог рекомендацій DVIGuide, необхідне залучення наступних спеціалістів: судово-медичного експерта, судово-медичного стоматолога, експерта для проведення аналізу відбитків пальців, судово-медичного генетика, судово-медичного антрополога, та бажаним є повноцінне залучення наступної групи спеціалістів: фотографа, радіолога, команди реєстраторів, команди контролю якості збору та аналізу інформації, логістів, технологічної та програмної підтримки та ін., які забезпечують проведення процесу ідентифікації з використанням первинних та вторинних ознак [5][6]. При цьому, відповідно до критеріїв Interpol, ідентифікації повинна бути підтверджена обов'язковими позитивними результатами співставлення результатів дослідження хоча б однієї з первинних ознак (стоматологічний статусу, ДНК, відбитки пальців), сукупністю унікальних вторинних ознак, або ж комбінацією доказової інформації, отриманої з сукупності первинних і вторинних достовірних критеріїв порівняння [8][9][10][12][13]. ...
Postgraduate training in forensic medicine and dentistry involves the study of current issues related to the implementation of new approaches in victim’s identification during mass disasters and professionals action within international and national analytical and informational programs and courses of identification according to the recommendations DVI / Interpol. World experience of functioning DVI argues the feasibility of using data of dental status in the process of identifying individuals, and the relevance of the specialty of forensic dentist, without the conclusion of which, formulare system output, and interpretation of data in PlassDataSoftware simply impossible. Integration with the use of specialized software Plass Data enhances competence forensic dentistry and forensic examination in terms of adapting the appliedmethodology and theoretical concepts identification of persons in accordance with international standards and recommendations of the coordinating structures during events of emergencies of national and international sizes. This event not only contributes to actualization of methodological issues in this field, but development is already purchased, and the establishment of new international relations, which is an important factor in the possibility of postgraduate training of the specialists according to international criteria and norms using Interpol protocols and specialized software.
... The subject of personal identification may be a decease, dismemberment, blood strain, and skeletal remain. Presently, fingerprint analysis, DNA profiling, and dental profile are well known as primary criteria of disaster victim identification method, which have high potential for positive identification (Sweet, 2010). However, these methods need to find the possible missing persons before matching which the unknown body remain. ...
Sex estimation from fragmentary bone remain is still challenge for forensic pathologist. Ulna has been reported useful for sex estimation by metric analysis. This study generated sex estimation function for fragment and complete of ulnar bone in a Thai population. The function was generated from 200 pairs of ulnar bone, and others 20 pair of ulnar bone were used for test the accuracy of the functions. Olecranon width was the best single variable for sex predicting of proximal part of ulna, which right olecranon width could be classified the sex 90.5 %. While distal end width of ulna was the variable for predicting the sex of distal part, which left distal end width could be classified the sex with 83.0 %. Stepwise discriminant function analysis was applied to proximal part. For proximal part of right ulna 4 measurements were selected (inferior-medial trochlear notch length, olecranon width, olecranon-coronoid process length, and maximum proximal ulnar width), while the left side, superior trochlear notch width, olecranon width, and maximum proximal ulnar width were chosen, and their functions could be predicted the sex with 91.0 % and 90.0 %, respectively. Our results indicated the ulnar bone had high ability for estimating the sex in a Thai population.
... These protocols enable positive, credible identification, using data collected from the scene, and from antemortem and postmortem investigations [6]. INTERPOL provides a paperbased system to support these protocols, with antemortem, postmortem and identification forms printed on different colours to avoid misinterpretation [7]; KMD provide a commercial system fully integrated with INTERPOL's DVI forms [8]. INTERPOL's forms and the KMD DVI System International focus primarily on managing and reconciling information about human remains. ...
Disaster victim identification (DVI) entails a protracted process of evidence collection and data matching to reconcile physical remains with victim identity. Technology is critical to DVI by enabling the linkage of physical evidence to information. However, labelling physical remains and collecting data at the scene are dominated by low-technology paper-based practices. We ask, how can technology help us tag and track the victims of disaster? Our response has two parts. First, we conducted a human-computer interaction led investigation into the systematic factors impacting DVI tagging and tracking processes. Through interviews with Australian DVI practitioners, we explored how technologies to improve linkage might fit with prevailing work practices and preferences; practical and social considerations; and existing systems and processes. Using insights from these interviews and relevant literature, we identified four critical themes: protocols and training; stress and stressors; the plurality of information capture and management systems; and practicalities and constraints. Second, we applied the themes identified in the first part of the investigation to critically review technologies that could support DVI practitioners by enhancing DVI processes that link physical evidence to information. This resulted in an overview of candidate technologies matched with consideration of their key attributes. This study recognises the importance of considering human factors that can affect technology adoption into existing practices. We provide a searchable table (Supplementary Information) that relates technologies to the key attributes relevant to DVI practice, for the reader to apply to their own context. While this research directly contributes to DVI, it also has applications to other domains in which a physical/digital linkage is required, particularly within high-stress environments.
... When the number of victims is high, the identification of those involved becomes one of the most important issues [25,[28][29][30][31][32]. According to the DVI indications, the identification operations must include samples for odontology, genetics and dactyloscopy [32,33]. Alongside the official recommendations, forensic medico-legal and anthropological investigations aimed also at the study of the injury involving the body, specifically the skeleton [13,25,34,35]. ...
Explosion-related deaths are a disregarded topic of forensic sciences, despite the pivotal role of the forensic pathologist in such investigations. In fact, very few scientific articles have been published up to now, even if there is a considerable increase of terrorist attacks worldwide due to the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). In this paper, the authors show a retrospective autopsy-based study on the two major civilian terrorist events which occurred in Milan (Italy). The first one took place in a closed system, where a gelignite bomb was set inside the National Agriculture Bank in December 1969. 17 people were killed, and all of them underwent forensic autopsies, which were performed at the Milan Institute of Legal Medicine. The second event took place in an open system, where a car bomb exploded in Palestro Street in July 1993. 5 people were killed, forensic autopsies were performed as well. A total of 22 explosion-related deaths were assessed in this study. For each victim, the analysis of clothes, external and internal examinations were reported; furthermore, a statistical analysis using Fisher’s exact test was carried out in order to show differences among blast injuries that occurred in a closed system versus an open system. The analysis of the autopsy reports, which included the descriptions of clothes, and the injury patterns allowed a possible reconstruction of the bodily exposure side of the victims in relation to the origin site of the explosive devices.
... However, few countries have the economic and structural capacity to address large-scale events and can be further overwhelmed by the magnitude or complexity of a case when they lack a pre-established and well-implemented contingency plan. There is often a lack of action protocols in emergencies or contingency plans at the national level, as well as a lack of knowledge of operating protocols or internationally standardized procedures (see for example INTERPOL guidelines [8] on disaster victim identification on www.interpol.int). This lack of prior preparation limits the ability to address large-scale cases even when they are predictable. ...
The effective search for the missing and identification of persons, alive or dead, are core components in the prevention and in resolving the issue of Missing Persons. espite the growing literature on this topic, there is still a lack of publications describing the Search as a process that includes different phases inherently composed of forensic investigative and identification principles for both living and deceased missing persons. This paper is the result of discussions between the Forensic Unit of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and members of its external Forensic Advisory Board. It aims to present the Search process as an overarching concept that includes the investigation and identification phases of the missing in any state (dead or alive), in any scenario (with or without bodies), with an integrated, multidisciplinary, and multiagency approach for implementation by all actors involved in the investigation and identification phases of missing persons.
... Nevertheless, first at the scene were criminal police units who recovered the bodies, and a great number of identifications were made at the scene on the basis of personal effects and facial recognition, which introduced initial identification uncertainty. It was subsequently decided to review all of the identifications made at the scene during the initial DVI procedure while other identifications were made in accordance with the complete DVI protocol [5]. A postmortem coordination (PMC) centre located at the MLIP was responsible for gathering primary (DNA profiles, fingerprints and dental records) and secondary (e.g. ...
On the evening of November 13, 2015, the city of Paris and its surroundings was hit by a series of attacks committed by terrorist groups, using firearms and explosives. The final toll was 140 people deceased (130 victims and 10 terrorists or their relatives) and more than 413 injured, making these attacks the worst mass killings ever recorded in Paris in peacetime. This article presents the forensic operations carried out at the Medicolegal Institute of Paris (MLIP) following these attacks. A total of 68 autopsies of bodies or body fragments and 83 external examinations were performed within 7 days, and the overall forensic operations (including formal identification of the latest victims) were completed 10 days after the attacks. Over this period, 156 body presentations (some bodies were presented several times) were provided to families or relatives. Regarding the 130 civilian casualties, 129 died from firearm wounds and one died from blast injuries after an explosion. Of the 10 terrorists or their relatives who were killed, eight died from suicide bombing, one was shot by police and one died from crush injuries due to partial collapse of a building following the police raid against a terrorist’s hideout after the attacks. All mass shootings were perpetrated with AK-47 or Zastava M70 assault rifles using 7.62 mm × 39 mm cartridges. In the case of ballistic injuries, death was most often obviously caused by craniocerebral injuries, extensive organ lacerations and/or massive haemorrhage. Among the terrorists killed by bombing, the lesion patterns were body transection, multiple amputations, extreme organ lacerations and the presence of foreign bodies owing to the shrapnel load (steel nuts, glass fragments) or the explosive charge fastening system of the devices. This discussion highlights the particular difficulties of interpretation encountered within the framework of ballistic injuries, a conclusion that should lead to a modest and realistic approach in these exceptional situations where forensic operations involve a very large number of victims in a constrained time.
... The Central Directorate of the Judicial Police (DCJP) was in charge of the investigation of the November attacks, which was supervised by the prosecutor of Paris. The difficulties that were faced in the identification process of the victims and the adoption of INTERPOL's DVI protocol [7,8] are described elsewhere [9]. Because PMCT was not deployed as part of the identification process at the time, these findings will not be recounted here. ...
... This has encouraged the use of modernized Interpol forms to promote standardization and facilitate data comparison with quality assurance oversight. 13 Information transmission is not a simple legal question, and it must be resolved on a local level. To whom does a foreign country submit data? ...
... Therefore, forensic pathologists must be trained to recognise these specific wound patterns and their diagnoses [2]. In addition to the issue of victim identification [3,4], it is fundamental to distinguish between the current modes of terrorist action. ...
Terrorist attacks have been on the rise. During the recent terrorist attacks in France, terrorists perpetrated their acts using weapons of war, as well as explosive charges. These two modes of action, when combined, can create skin lesions with similar macroscopic appearances, which can sometimes go unnoticed because of body fragmentation. A total of 68 autopsies, 83 external examinations, 140 standard radiographic examinations, and 49 computed tomography (CT) scans were performed over 7 days during the 2015 terrorist attacks in France. Bodies were injured by firearms and shrapnel-like projectiles. We analysed the clinical findings for the secondary blast cutaneous lesions from the explosive devices and compared these lesions with ballistic-related lesions to highlight that patterns can be macroscopically similar on external examination. Secondary blast injuries are characterised by penetrating trauma associated with materials added to explosive systems that are propelled by explosive air movement. These injuries are caused most often by small, shrapnel-like metallic objects, such as nails and bolts. Propulsion causes ballistic-type injuries that must be recognised and distinguished from those caused by firearm projectiles. Differentiating between these lesions is very difficult when using conventional criteria (size, shape, number and distribution on the body) with only external examination of corpses. This is why the particularities of these lesions must be further illustrated and then confirmed by complete autopsies and radiological and anatomopathological examinations.
• Key points
• When occurring simultaneously in terrorist attacks, injuries caused by secondary blasts appear as cutaneous wound patterns that can be macroscopically very similar to those caused by firearm projectiles.
• The criteria usually found in the literature for distinguishing these two types of projectiles may be difficult to use.
• It is important in these difficult situations to benefit from systematic postmortem imaging.
• Systematic autopsy and then anatomopathological analyses of the orifices also help determine the cause of the wounds.
... Medical and odontological information is difficult to find because of the poverty of the country. For these reasons some important methods of identification, called "primary methods" by Interpol, such as DNA, fingerprints and odontology, cannot be utilized because of the lack of comparison material, and "secondary methods" (medico-legal and anthropological analysis such as comparison of medical devices and prostheses for the first group, and evaluation of tattoo, scars and moles for the others) have to be used instead (Baraybar, 2008;Sweet, 2010). PM data may be varied and incomplete, due to the fact that a full autopsy is not always requested, or an external examination performed at all, depending on the case and the needs of prosecutors. ...
This chapter summarizes how Italy is trying to tackle the problem of dead migrants, and how this attempt has been extremely useful in presenting some of the challenges under different perspectives. Italy, which is involved in the problem of clandestine disembarkations because of the proximity of Lampedusa and Sicily to Africa, is one of the first European countries that have started to work towards the identification of dead migrants. A pilot study was performed in order to verify the feasibility of identifying dead migrants. At a national level, the Ufficio Commissario straordinario per le Persone Scomparse Office is attempting to collect all data concerning unknown dead migrants from the different Public Prosecutors Offices that have jurisdiction on every disaster/shipwreck occurring in Italian waters, or on single decedents who arrived in the domestic ports. Datasharing policies may be different between governments and NGOs.
... However, few countries have the economic and structural capacity to address large-scale events and can be further overwhelmed by the magnitude or complexity of a case when they lack a pre-established and well-implemented contingency plan. There is often a lack of action protocols in emergencies or contingency plans at the national level, as well as a lack of knowledge of operating protocols or internationally standardized procedures (see for example INTERPOL guidelines [8] on disaster victim identification on www.interpol.int). This lack of prior preparation limits the ability to address large-scale cases even when they are predictable. ...
This chapter is intended to show the methodological and conceptual changes undergone by Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team (EAAF) identification process throughout its history. Short tandem repeat (STR) markers in autosomal chromosomes (aSTRs) are the most commonly used in genetic profile databases for human identification. The incorporation of new DNA quantification methods and improved amplification kits for degraded samples has enabled us to enhance the aSTR genotyping and the use of complementary typing kits, and increase our identification capabilities through the use of genetics at EAAF‐forensic genetics lab (EAAF‐FGL). EAAF‐FGL incorporates profiles with reportable results for at least seven aSTR markers, as it is proved that genetic profiles with less information result in a large number of random matches. The comparison of genetic profiles on a large scale necessarily requires suitable software. EAAF‐FGL uses DNAview to make comparisons of both ante mortem–post‐mortem (AM–PM) and PM‐PM genetic profiles.
... DNA examination is one of the primary three identification methods recommended by the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) (INTERPOL, 2009;Sweet, 2010). As soft tissue is usually abundant in mass disasters, deep red non-decomposing muscles are recommended for DNA profiling when available. ...
Background: Disaster victim identification (DVI) is a part of a collective response to mass disasters with the intention of identifying victims and body parts. Muscle tissue is sampled during DVI operations to identify victims by DNA analysis. Aim: To provide an effective field based method for preservation of DNA in human muscle tissues. Methods: A cross sectional comparative study was carried out on normal healthy human muscle tissues which were collected from patients admitted to Suez Canal University Hospital for surgical amputation of a part of limb. Muscle tissue was stored for 4 weeks in a number of preservatives at room temperature (15-20°C). This process was repeated at 37°C to simulate the conditions expected during DVI operations in warm conditions. Samples were also stored at-20ºC which represents the optimum storage condition used in many countries. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of DNA extracted from samples was done for each preservative during the 4 weeks. The study was conducted in the clinical pathology department in faculty of medicine-Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt. Results: All preservatives could retain DNA up to the 4 weeks. Ethanol 70% (EtOH) gave the highest DNA concentration in both conditions (p value <0.001), followed by Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) in room temperature and Sodium Chloride (NaCl) in 37 ºC. All used preservatives did not show degradation in room temperature, while NaCl and Ethanol 70% showed degradation in DNA extracted in day 28 in 37 ºC condition (p value <0.001). Conclusion: DMSO is a successful method of preservation of DNA in human muscle tissue up to 4 weeks in both room temperature and 37 ºC. While NaCl and Ethanol 70% are successful methods of preservation of DNA in muscle tissue up to 2 weeks only in 37 ºC and up to 4 weeks in room temperature (15-20ºC).
... 9 Due to the different specialties working together, members should have a clear understanding of their roles and a form of accreditation should formalize the level of training desirable in the team. 11,31,32 It was also mentioned that there was no clear coordination between the universities and the DVI team; therefore, forensic dental bodies should formally liaise with universities and dental councils in order to officially recognize the field of forensic odontology 33 with consequent effect on DVI operations. ...
The forensic dentist plays an important role in the disaster victim identification (DVI) operations. The first aim of this study was to explore the opinions of Indonesian dentists on the importance of dental records and the respective awareness of Forensic Dentistry. The second aim was to investigate the basic profile of the Indonesian dentists and their experiences working in the DVI operations. Two web-based surveys (S1 and S2) were sent to 360 Indonesian dentists and 8 Indonesia DVI team members, respectively. Results for S1 showed that most dentists (305 out of 341) are aware of the field and the importance of dental records in human identification; however, only 26% of dentists always compile a complete dental chart of the patient. DVI team members (6 out of 8) have an academic background in the field and only the minority experienced difficulties in deployments. Indonesia is susceptible to natural disasters and dentists proved to be important in DVI. Although the Ministry of Health of Indonesia have provided guidelines, the recording of dental data is not up to standard. A regular and systematic monitoring by the dental councils to every dental clinic would certify if dentists are compiling and keeping accurate dental records.
... Identification is an important task in Forensic Medicine whether it involves an individual crises or a mass disaster. In Mass disasters, this task is very challenging and the ability to recognize victims is very critical as the extent of a disaster may hold back and delay identification (Interpol, 2009 Sweet, 2010). As soft tissue is usually abundant in mass disasters, deep red non-decomposing muscles are recommended for DNA profiling when available. ...
Dental identification is a pillar of disaster victim identification (DVI). Dental identification is accurate, efficient, inexpensive, and accepted in courts of law. The (known) antemortem (AM) dental charts and radiographic images acquired from the dentist of the missing person are evaluated, processed, and compared to post mortem (PM) findings present in the dentition or fragments of the dentition of the deceased individual. These comparisons evaluate and assess individuating restorative dental work, dental anatomical areas of concordance, spatial relationships of teeth one to another, and occasionally calculate the degree of “uniqueness” of either or both of the AM and PM dentition compared to known population databases. In a multiple fatality incident, odontologists may utilize age stratification to assist other means of identification. Computer comparison algorithms using recorded data can indicate possible matches between AM and PM data sets. Following clinical assessment, collection of post mortem tooth specimens for DNA profiling generation may be undertaken. This paper will highlight modern and efficient use of these tools. The framework for how dental identification in these incidents is currently managed is presented. The authors propose a change to this approach that moves away from interpretive subjective assessment toward comparisons based largely on objective data. The aim of this paper is to highlight the benefits of minimizing subjective decisions and maximizing objective data in the dental DVI process while simultaneously reducing risk to clinical personnel and minimizing costs by reducing the number of clinicians required onsite.
Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund
In Deutschland liegt die Identifizierung unbekannter Toter in der Zuständigkeit der Polizei. Gemäß INTERPOL-Standards werden primäre (DNA, Fingerabdrücke, Zähne) und sekundäre Merkmale (z. B. Tätowierungen) untersucht. Die forensische Zahnmedizin wird als effiziente Methode bereits international eingesetzt. In dieser Studie soll auf Länderebene in Deutschland die Vorgehensweise der Polizei analysiert werden. Untersucht werden angewandte Methoden bei der Identifizierung, die Rolle der forensischen Zahnmedizin, die Zusammenarbeit mit Zahnärzt*innen und mögliche Optimierungsansätze.
Methoden
Mittels eines digitalen Fragebogens sollten in allen Bundesländern für Funde unbekannter Toter zuständige Polizeibeamt*innen zu Identifizierungsmethoden und speziell zur Anwendung forensischer Zahnmedizin befragt werden.
Ergebnisse
85 Sachbearbeiter*innen aus mind. 11 Bundesländern nahmen an der Befragung teil. Die Vorgehensweise stellte sich als dienststellenspezifisch heraus. In 72,6 % der Fälle werden bei der Identifizierung verschiedene Merkmale kombiniert, am häufigsten DNA mit Zahnstatus (37,1 %). Die DNA-Analyse wird am häufigsten verwendet. 62,9 % der Befragten stimmten zu, dass die zahnärztliche Identifizierung „oft“ angewendet wird. Der Anteil der Identifizierungen mittels Zahnstatus wird auf 1,6–8,1 % geschätzt. Für die forensische Zahnmedizin haben 19,4 % eine feste Ansprechperson. Eine digitale Plattform, um Zahnmediziner*innen zu kontaktieren, schätzten 56,5 % als hilfreich ein.
Diskussion
Die forensische Zahnmedizin steht aktuell noch hinter der DNA-Analyse zurück, was sich durch die zunehmende Digitalisierung ändern könnte, wenn z. B. Ante-mortem-Daten zuverlässiger zur Verfügung stehen und Plattformen für den interdisziplinären Austausch geschaffen werden.
Forensic odontology (FO) is recognized as one of the primary methods for forensic identification. Although teeth are resistant to high temperatures, particular conditions can make them very fragile. Dental implants (DIs), widely used in current oral rehabilitation, are manufactured with alloplastic materials based on titanium and with high thermal resistance. A scoping review is presented to establish the potential use of DIs in forensic identification. We identified ten articles with a significant presence of Australian researchers and identification models supported by image comparison, the use of specific software, and even the implementation of serial numbers that ensure traceability. Identification through DIs has been proposed as a promising alternative. However, local realities and the relationship with manufacturing companies have conditioned these possibilities in FO in several ways.
Integrated approaches to disaster victim identification (DVI) management have led to a need for technologies to improve interaction among parties involved in post-mortem (PM) and ante-mortem (AM) data collection through better communication and coordination. Mobile Forensic Workspace© (MFW) is a collaborative mobile system that not only facilitates the systematic collection of high-quality data, but also allows DVI professionals to coordinate activities and exchange data through secure real-time communication at major disaster scenarios in accordance with security, privacy and legal protocols. MFW is adaptable to any communication format (text, voice calls, photographs, etc.) and is dynamically self-reconfigurable when connectivity problems arise. It also allows data integration and backup through secure communication channels between local and remote servers. The feasibility of the system has been demonstrated through implementation of MFW on the iOS platform for iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad terminals. A further strength of MFW is that it provides out-of-the-box support for INTERPOL DVI forms. The application of information and communication technologies for DVI was shown to be useful in improving DVI management by enhancing the quality of data collection and enabling non-Internet dependent real-time data sharing and communication.
The INTERPOL standard for the identification of unknown individuals includes the established primary characteristics of fingerprint, DNA, and teeth. Exposure to noxious agents such as fire and water often severely limits the availability of usable material such as fingerprints. In addition to teeth, the protected oral cavity also houses palatal fold pairs, which are the subject of this study to demonstrate individuality and consequently support identification. Material and Methods: In this cohort study, 105 participants’ palates were scanned twice with a dental intraoral scanner (Omnicam SIRONA®) over a 3 month period and were then analyzed using a matching program. The intraindividual and interindividual differences were determined, and the mean values and standard deviations were calculated and presented. Results: The intraindividual differences are highly significantly lower than the interindividual differences (p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, the results suggest that palatal rugae pairs can be considered a highly individual feature and could be considered an identification feature in a young and healthy population.
The book is here:
https://ksiegarnia.difin.pl/zapowiedzi/tak-zwany-interpol-studium-uwarunkowan-skutecznosci-zwalczania-przestepczosci-transgranicznej-i-terroryzmu-w-ramach-globalnej-wspolpracy-policyjnej. The presented study is the result of my interest in the functioning of the International Criminal Police Organization Interpol, which began over 20 years ago and continues uninterruptedly to this day. This interest took various forms - from direct participation in the activities of the ICPO and involvement in broadly understood international police cooperation to the development of articles and publishing them in scientific periodicals.
In the cognitive dimension, the main goal of the research focused on identifying the conditions for the effectiveness of operational activities undertaken by the ICPO in the sphere of public security, understood as the ability to carry out appropriate projects in the field of identyfing and detecting threats related to crime and terrorism and preventing them. Effective undertakings are those which, to some extent, lead to the result of identyfing or detecting crime or terrorist threats and preventing them, while the measure of effectiveness is only the degree of approaching such an effect. A project is minimally effective when the predicted effectiveness is high enough to make it worth taking action.
The studies used various approaches to identify the determinants of effectiveness, including: 1) system and resource approach examining the extent to which Interpol provides itself with the necessary organizational, financial, human resources and information resources; 2) an internal processes approach aimed at examining the internal mechanisms of cooperation within Interpol, with particular emphasis on the integration of criminal policemen with the organization and the occurrence of internal tensions and conflicts;
3) a targeted approach examining the achievement of statutory objectives by Interpol; 4) an approach taking into account the strategic supporters of Interpol, examining the satisfaction of the needs and expectations of criminal police officers by Interpol.
The utilitarian purpose of the research was to develop postulates to optimize the operational potential of Interpol to combat cross-border crime. Recommendations formulated as a result of research can be used by Interpol, governments of Member States and other parties interested in optimizing the fight against cross-border threats.
In order to achieve the main objective of the research, the following specific objectives were defined: 1) an indication of the specifics, systematics and functions of Interpol's forensic operational activities; 2) recognition of barriers to the effectiveness of cooperation within Interpol, understood as elements external to this organization; 3) determining the strengths and weaknesses of Interpol understood as internal issues of this organization, determining the effectiveness of cross-border police cooperation; 4) learning how to deal with the difficulties of cooperation within Interpol; 5) determination of the extent to which police cooperation at the level of Interpol meets the expectations of police practitioners; 6) indicating the directions of development of Interpol's operational potential in the future.
Taking into account the specific objectives, the following main research problem was adopted in the form of a question: how to improve the operational potential (power) of Interpol -understood as its tangible and intangible means of operation and specific legal attributes - in order to increase the effectiveness of identifying and detecting crime cross-border and terrorism and preventiing them?
Achieving the main research goal required theoretical and empirical exploration of many research hypotheses and answering many detailed questions, including: 1) what is the specificity of combating threats related to crime and terrorism within the framework of Interpol; 2) what are the preconditions for effectively identyfing, detecting and preventing threats related to crime and terrorism on the Interpol platform; 3) to what extent the organizational solutions adopted by Interpol allow for effective international police cooperation; 4) to what extent Interpol is an effective center for forensic intelligence; 5) to what extent Interpol is an effective center for the exchange of criminal information; 6) to what extent Interpol is an effective center for criminal intelligence; 7) to what extent Interpol ensures effective coordination and support of activities in the field of cross-border security; 8) what is the specificity of police searching for suspects within Interpol; 9) to what extent Interpol is able to effectively counter terrorism-related threats; 10) what factors contributed to the creation and development of Interpol; 11) to what extent police cooperation under Interpol has an impact on Member States' public security; 12) to what extent Polish law enforcement authorities use Interpol's operational support; 13) what attributes of international legal subjectivity does Interpol have; 14) what is the real legal status of Interpol; 15) what crimes are prosecuted in practice under the unclear provisions of the Interpol statute; 16) what changes should be made to guarantee the protection of the rights of persons affected by operational activities carried out in cooperation with Interpol; 17) what reforms should be in order for Interpol to be able to effectively organize police cooperation in the future in an increasingly complex international environment.
Introduction: Sex determination has an important role in post-mortem (PM) profile reconstruction, which enables to reduce the possibility of identification. Gonial angle (GA) of mandible is a reliable sex parameter through skeletal examination. However, given frequent limited resources in forensic setting, direct GA measure- ment approach on deceased’s body is more practicable.
Objectives: This study aims to evaluate GA discriminative ability in sex estimation by using direct measure- ment method in 16-24 years old Indonesian population.
Material and methods: One hundred individuals (M = 43, F = 57) between 16-24 years old from Jepara District, Central Java, Indonesia, were selected for the measurement of both left (LGA) and right (RGA) gonial angle using a goniometer. Inter-and intra-observer reliability were 0.906 and 0.936, respectively, after one month using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC). Measured LGA and RGA from males and females were compared using Mann-Whitney U-test, and Pearson’s correlation between LGA and RGA were calculated. Binary logistic regression and ROC curve models were applied to analyze GA capability in sex discrimination.
Results: There was no significant difference between LGA and RGA measurements, and a high correlation was detected (r = 0.73). Both LGA and RGA had significant value to predict sex. AUC value of LGA was 0.615 (p = 0.048; 95% CI: 0.51-0.73) and RGA was 0.637 (p = 0.015; 95% CI: 0.53-0.74).
Conclusions: The proposed direct examination method of GA to predict sex shows a low discriminating per- formance on both LGA and RGA variables.
An air disaster is a tragic event, usually brutal and unforeseeable, which often involves human and material losses. The investigation of such events requires extraordinary measures in order to apply state-of-the-art forensic technology, aiming to identify both the causes of the accident and the victims. Forensic dentistry is among the most important methods of identification, as it allows the use of techniques that can identify an individual based on the systematic study of corpses or bone remains, physiological and hereditary aspects, and, the specific variations of a person's teeth. The aim of this paper is to review the available elements that can be used within the field of forensic dentistry to identify corpses and bone remains in the event of an air disaster.
We address computational and statistical aspects of DNA-based identification of victims in the aftermath of disasters. Current methods and software for such identification typically consider each victim individually, leading to suboptimal power of identification and potential inconsistencies in the statistical summary of the evidence. We resolve these problems by performing joint identification of all victims, using the complete genetic data set. Individual identification probabilities, conditional on all available information, are derived from the joint solution in the form of posterior pairing probabilities. A closed formula is obtained for the a priori number of possible joint solutions to a given DVI problem. This number increases quickly with the number of victims and missing persons, posing computational challenges for brute force approaches. We address this complexity with a preparatory sequential step aiming to reduce the search space. The examples show that realistic cases are handled efficiently. User-friendly implementations of all methods are provided in the R package dvir, freely available on all platforms.
A pastor was reported as a missing person on 18 March 2017 at Osterbay Police Station (Tanzania) before his body was spotted buried in a small bush in Mabwepande, Dar es Salaam, on 11 April 2017. The body was discovered after a systematic search lasting two days, which was coordinated by village officers. A technical exhumation was conducted on 12 April 2017 to recover the remains and transport them to Muhimbili National Hospital. The postmortem team consisted of a medical doctor, an archaeologist, an anthropologist, and a pathologist to establish the identity and the cause of death. After a thorough investigation and a postmortem examination, it was determined that a blow by a blunt object with a slightly pointed edge caused the death. Part of the deceased’s forehead above the left eye was pierced and ruptured by radial fractures. The identity of the deceased was confirmed after comparing ante-mortem information collected by the police and data obtained during the postmortem examination. The most important identifying information was the deceased’s clothes, dental medical history, and a scar from a burn he had suffered in childhood. This paper highlights how important it is in a case like this to engage a team of professionals from different fields and with different expertise in order to make the search and recovery work more effective. In addition, the case underlines how a decomposing body can pose a challenge to scientific investigators.
The Asian tsunami of 26 December 2004, which devastated coastal parts of more than 10 countries in and around the Indian Ocean caused over 200,000 casualties. People from more than 58 nationalities were amongst the victims and subsequently an international effort for disaster victim identification (DVI) was set up, coordinated by Interpol. DVI teams from more than 20 countries took part in the identification process which, because of the complexity of the situation, had to be conducted in an internationally agreed upon procedure. Standard operating protocols of post-mortem (PM) procedures were established for fingerprinting, forensic pathology, forensic odontology and DNA profiling and were crucial in the quality of the entire DVI process of the quickly decomposing bodies. A very important and underestimated part of the DVI process is the gathering of the ante-mortem (AM) data of the persons reported missing in their home countries. In the wake of this tsunami event it appeared to be even more problematic as entire families had died and information was difficult to obtain. As dentistry proved to be the most valuable identification mean--up to 85% of the cases--the AM dental records proved to be crucial elements for DVI. Standard operating protocols (SOP) were again established as to who, where, when and what information had to be collected by the dentists by the AM teams abroad. Transcribing the AM dental information by experienced forensic odontologists was another crucial element in the whole identification procedure as the information had to be loaded into the DVI System International (Plass Data, Holbaek, Denmark) for comparison with incoming PM data. The Interpol DVI Standing Committee thus recommends that forward planning, adequate funding, international cooperation and standardisation are essential to guarantee an effective response to any major mass disaster of this kind in the future.
A mass fatality event may involve a small number of deceased or it may run to a toll of hundreds of thousands. Correct identification of the deceased is vital to fulfill both judicial and humanitarian requirements. To avoid errors, the process must adopt the highest standards of forensic and scientific rigor. Unfortunately, there is little uniformity of process between countries. The integrating role of Interpol is vital although not yet fully utilized. We summarize the requirements and procedures adopted for reliable disaster victim identification (DVI) and focus on the template devised in the United Kingdom.
Keywords:
mass fatality;
identification;
deceased
Disaster victim identification (DVI) refers to the formal andorganisedprocessofidentifyingmultiplebodiesafter amassfatality. The number of dead required before DVI processesare initiated varies among jurisdictions, for example it mayoccur with only four bodies after a vehicle crash, or withmany thousands after a tsunami. International DVI proce-dures are coordinated through Interpol with local authoritiesgenerally having control over the site(s) of the disaster, butsometimes with assistance from outside organizations.Guidelines and internationally accepted forms are providedby Interpol for collating both antemortem and post-mortemdata. DVI exercises may involve recent natural disasterssuch as earthquakes, terrorist actions such as suicidebombings, human trafficking accidents, or events that havehappened some time ago, as in exhumations of mass gravesfrom previous armed conflict [1].A variety of problems can occur when large operationsare commenced on foreign soil. Given the high level ofinterest in such exercises amongst forensic professionalsthere is often quite a strong push for participation when ahigh profile disaster occurs. This results in rapid mobiliza-tion of teams and individuals, sometimes without adequate,or any, consultation with localauthorities. This international‘‘DVI industry’’may result indeployment of individualsandteams that may include some who are not engaged in currentprofessional practice, and also conversely in significantdeskillingofthoseleftbehind–anundesirableeffectonbothcounts. It is important to ensure that all forensic profes-sionals are trained in this area as it is preferable, where thescaleallows,thatlocaldisastersarehandledbylocally-basedprofessionals, as they are the ones who have the bestunderstanding of many of the local issues.Operating in an external jurisdiction also brings with itcomplex legal and cultural issues. The impression some-times given to local authorities is that they are merelybeing tolerated by the true ‘experts’ in the field, howeverthe reality is often far from this. Cultural sensitivities areextremely important and every effort should be made for anexperienced team leader and team members to be ade-quately briefed on local religious beliefs, cultural attitudesand practices, and political systems [2]. This may onlyrequire the application of common sense, such as con-sulting regularly with local authorities before any changesin work practices occur, or simply not placing a visitor’sflag over a national flag at a work site.Amultidisciplinary approach is essential tothe successofthese operations with input from representatives of all majorprofessional groups. It is important to maintain this multi-disciplinary interaction from the initial planning stages rightthroughtosigningoffcasesatReconciliationPanelmeetingsbetween visiting experts and local authorities. For example,failure to consult with pathologists in the early stages ofplanning may result in inadequate sampling being under-taken, which then necessitates reprocessing of cases for asecond or even a third time, all of which is exceedingly timeconsuming and expensive. One of the most important phi-losophies is to ‘hasten slowly’, as the consequences of errorsin identification due to rushed work could outlast the oper-ation by many years, if not decades.Once in the field it is important that the health of theteam is cared for, and this includes both psychological and
The boxing day tsunami of 26 December 2004 caused devastation and loss of life around the Indian ocean. International disaster victim identification efforts were centred in Thailand, with many odontologists from over 20 countries contributing to the examination of deceased, collection of antemortem information, comparison and reconciliation of data. The contribution of forensic odontology to the identification process conducted in Thailand in response to the tsunami devastation is presented in a composite of short reports focused on the five phases associated with disaster victim identification. To date 1,474 deceased have been identified. Dental comparison has been the primary identifier in 79% of cases and a contributor in another 8%, a total of 87%.