DVI

Question 1

Use of personal effects in identification process

Answer 1

1. Refers to anything that can or did belong to the individual.
2. Must be treated as evidence from the start to maintain the chain of custody = labelled and recorded.
3. Associated: must consider if the effect is attached to the body or simply in proximity. Personal effects can be transferred.
4. Personal effects can carry emotional links so treatment is important.

Question 2

Importance of DVI

Answer 2

1. Important due to investigative, prosecutorial (provides evidence for legal proceedings), human rights/international law + home civil law.
2. In order for proceedings to continue it is integral that individuals be identified.
3. An individual has the right to be identified.
4. Without confirmation of death, estates will not be released, insurance claims will not be paid which can result in financial hardship for relatives.

Question 3

Issues identified by the Clarke Report (2001)

Answer 3

1. Published in response to the Marchioness disaster in which a party boat struck a dredger on the river Thames; killing 51 people.
2. Authorities were ill-prepared, no contingency plan was in place for a disaster on the river.
3. relatives were ill-informed of the process and refused viewing of the bodies; insensitivity when dealing with families.
4. Dental records were not considered before hands were removed for identification.
5. In 3 cases, hands were not returned with bodies.
6. Lack of overall coordination of identification procedure.

Question 4

Changes introduced by Clarke Report

Answer 4

1. Provision of honest and accurate info at all times.
2. respect for deceased and bereaved; sympathetic approach must be taken.
3. Methods should avoid unnecessary invasive procedures.
4. Instigation of senior identification manager and family liaison officer roles.
5. general standardisation of the procedure of DVI be implemented nation-wide; contingency plans should be in place.
6. Bereaved should have the right to view the body.

Question 5

ID process following a mass disaster

Answer 5

1. Declaration of a mass disaster allows the inaction of the Civil Contingency Act which allows authorities to access national resources.
2. Body stored in body reception area, assigned a URN, tagged, and a pink PM book will be filled out.
3. Imaging; body remains in bag.
4. PM preparation; bag opened, stripped and searched.
5. Property exhibit/storage: personal effects taken as evidence.
6. PM examination: determines COD; may only be a surface exam.
7. Dental x-ray; odontology.
8. Fingerprint and footprint analysis; palm and sole prints taken also.
9. Reconstruction.

Question 6

Primary identifiers

Answer 6

1. Odontology: Relatively quick and inexpensive; requires AM records for comparison. In countries where dental health is generally very good = greater homogenisation = lots of people with healthy teeth and little identifying work. Greater variation in less developed countries.
2. Fingerprints: May be easily lost if body starts to decompose/damaged. More likely to be recorded than DNA but still a chance the individual is not on a database. Must ensure AM prints ensure to individual in question.
3. DNA: expensive, may be a last resort. DNA can easily be contaminated and degraded; familial sample needs to be obtained. If fragmented, this may be the only option.

Question 7

Secondary identifiers

Answer 7

1. Unique medical condition/personal ID.
2. never used alone to identify; must be confirmed by primary methods