Soren Blau

Disaster victim identification: new applications for postmortem computed tomography

Abstract:  Mass fatalities can present the forensic anthropologist and forensic pathologist with a different set of challenges to those presented by a single fatality. To date radiography has played an important role in the disaster victim identification (DVI) process. The aim of this paper is to highlight the benefits of applying computed tomography (CT) technology to the DVI process. The paper begins by reviewing the extent to which sophisticated imaging techniques, specifically CT, have been increasingly used to assist in the analysis of deceased individuals. A small scale case study is then presented which describes aspects of the DVI process following a recent Australian aviation disaster involving two individuals. Having grided the scene of the disaster, a total of 41 bags of heavily disrupted human remains were collected. A postmortem examination was subsequently undertaken. Analysis of the CT images of all body parts (n = 162) made it possible not only to identify and side differentially preserved skeletal elements which were anatomically unrecognizable in the heavily disrupted body masses, but also to observe and record useful identifying features such as surgical implants. In this case the role of the forensic anthropologist and CT technology were paramount in facilitating a quick identification, and subsequently, an effective and timely reconciliation, of body parts. Although this case study is small scale, it illustrates the enormous potential for CT imaging to complement the existing DVI process.

The role of forensic anthropology in Disaster Victim Identification (DVI)

This paper briefly describes Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) and reviews the history of the use of forensic anthropology in the identification process. The potential contributions made by forensic anthropology are illustrated through the presentation of a case study. In February 2009 the state of Victoria in south-eastern Australia experienced the most devastating bushfires in its history, resulting in catastrophic loss of life and public and private property. Within 48h of the disaster, forensic teams including pathologists, odontologists and anthropologists assembled at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine in Melbourne to begin the task of identifying the deceased. This paper reviews the part played by forensic anthropologists in the identification process and outlines the important contribution anthropologists can make to DVI, especially at the scene, in the mortuary and in the reconciliation process. The anthropologists experience with differentially preserved human remains meant they played an important role identifying and recovering heavily fragmentary human skeletal remains, differentiating human from non-human remains, establishing basic biological information such as the sex and age of the individuals and confirming or denying the possibility of re-associating body parts for release to families.

Missing persons-missing data: the need to collect antemortem dental records of missing persons.

ABSTRACT: The subject of missing persons is of great concern to the community with numerous associated emotional, financial, and health costs. This paper examines the forensic medical issues raised by the delayed identification of individuals classified as “missing” and highlights the importance of including dental data in the investigation of missing persons. Focusing on Australia, the current approaches employed in missing persons investigations are outlined. Of particular significance is the fact that each of the eight Australian states and territories has its own Missing Persons Unit that operates within distinct state and territory legislation. Consequently, there is a lack of uniformity within Australia about the legal and procedural framework within which investigations of missing persons are conducted, and the interaction of that framework with coronial law procedures. One of the main investigative problems in missing persons investigations is the lack of forensic medical, particularly, odontological input. Forensic odontology has been employed in numerous cases in Australia where identity is unknown or uncertain because of remains being skeletonized, incinerated, or partly burnt. The routine employment of the forensic odontologist to assist in missing person inquiries, has however, been ignored. The failure to routinely employ forensic odontology in missing persons inquiries has resulted in numerous delays in identification. Three Australian cases are presented where the investigation of individuals whose identity was uncertain or unknown was prolonged due to the failure to utilize the appropriate (and available) dental resources.

Dying for independence: Proactive investigations into the 12 November 1991 Santa Cruz massacre, Timor Leste

While there have been numerous violent events in Timor Leste the one act that holds significant political and social meaning for the local population is a massacre that occurred in Dili on the 12 November 1991 at the Santa Cruz cemetery. Following a brief summary of the mechanisms in place to investigate human rights abuses in Timor Leste, this paper focuses on efforts to investigate the Santa Cruz massacre. While the number of people killed in or directly following the massacre is unconfirmed, there were numerous rumours about burial sites which, until recently, had not been substantiated. In 2008 a proactive investigation into the Santa Cruz massacre was undertaken by the International Forensic Team (IFT). Details about the consultation process with government authorities and families of victims are provided, followed by information about the archaeological investigations undertaken at Tibar and Hera. The laboratory analyses including results of the anthropological, property, DNA, ballistic and hair analyses are summarised. The work of the IFT provides for the first time physical evidence, including 11 positively identified individuals, which confirms a link between individuals recovered from the cemetery at Hera and the 12 November 1991 Santa Cruz massacre. The paper concludes with a discussion about the meaning of this evidence in terms of future questions of truth and justice.

How traumatic: a review of the role of the forensic anthropologist in the examination and interpretation of skeletal trauma

There are numerous cases where variables such as time since death, exposure, fire, animal scavenging, and/or human intervention result in partial or full skeletonisation. When soft tissue no longer survives and the skeleton and/or dentition are all the evidence of a deceased individual that remains, the interpretation of cause and manner of death is comparatively more difficult, often made more complex by the fact that contextual information about the events that resulted in the death may be limited or non-existent. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the role of the forensic anthropologist in the examination and interpretation of skeletal trauma. Definitions of trauma and specifically skeletal trauma are provided, followed by a description of the types of skeletal trauma. The processes of the examination, analysis, and interpretation of skeletal trauma are discussed, highlighting important considerations and limitations at each stage. The paper outlines the important foundations that underpin decision-making when forming opinions about skeletal trauma, which include expertise in skeletal anatomy, understanding of bone biomechanics, and information about the context of the case. Finally, the paper summarises the resources available to students and practitioners to assist in augmenting the process of skeletal trauma interpretation.

Working as a Forensic Archaeologist and/or Anthropologist in Post-conflict Contexts: A Consideration of Professional Responsibilities to the Missing, the Dead and Their Relatives

This chapter examines the professional responsibilities of the forensic archaeology/anthropology practitioner and some of the ethical dilemmas that are associated with locating, collecting, recording and preserving physical evidence of human rights abuses involving single or mass killings in post-conflict contexts. Initially the development of the discipline of forensic archaeology and anthropology is outlined. This is followed by a discussion about the ways in which physical evidence recovered by forensic archaeologist/anthropologists can be used for humanitarian, legal, historical and/or political reasons and what this means for how forensic archaeologists/anthropologists undertake their work. The chapter then considers the forensic archaeology/anthropology practitioner’s professional responsibilities as related to a number of different themes including work opportunities and choices, communication with the families of victims, standards and local capacity and occupational health and safety. The chapter concludes that unlike the practitioners of traditional archaeology whose work is not implicated in the struggles of living people, archaeologists and anthropologists who choose to work in post-conflict areas are significantly influenced by the living in where, why and how they work. Combined with the political sensitivities associated with investigating the location of graves and identifying the deceased, the wide ranging needs of the surviving families and wider communities play an important part of the forensic archaeologist/anthropologist’s professional responsibilities.

Skeletal Trauma Resulting From Fatal Low (≤3 m) Free Falls: An Analysis of Fracture Patterns and Morphologies†

The skeletal trauma resulting from fatal low (≤3 m) free falls is poorly researched and understood by forensic practitioners. The aim of this study was to identify the types of skeletal trauma resulting from low falls through investigating fracture patterns and morphologies. Skeletal trauma was analyzed using full‐body postmortem computed tomography scans of 145 individuals who died from a low free fall. Trauma was then contextualized to the variables that influence how a person falls using multiple logistic regression. Results showed fracture patterning primarily involved the axial skeleton and that there were a number of patterns significantly associated with the height fallen, pre‐existing health conditions, and age. Analysis of fracture morphologies showed 108 possible fracture types, six of which were significantly associated with the height fallen. Understanding the skeletal trauma characteristic of low free falls will further inform anthropological interpretations of trauma in cases where a fall may be considered the possible mechanism.

The circumstances and characteristics of fatal falls in Victoria, Australia: a descriptive study

Falls are the 18th major cause of death in Australia. The intention of this study was to provide a comprehensive understanding of fatal falls in an Australian context through documenting the circumstances of fall-related deaths and investigating the characteristics surrounding those falls. A retrospective review of fatal falls in the state of Victoria from 2005 to 2014 was undertaken using the National Coronial Information System online database. Details recorded for each fatal fall case comprised the circumstances of the fall (year and month of fall, fall type, and manner and cause of death) and characteristics of the deceased (sex, age, body mass index, pre-existing conditions and psychoactive drug use). There were 2743 fatal falls, encompassing falls from a bed, chair, height (>3 m), horse, ladder, low height (≤3 m), motor vehicle, stair(s), standing, toilet, wheelchair and unspecified. The majority of falls were accidental (95.5%), indirectly contributed to the fatality (66.4%), were female (53.2%), elderly (61+years) (92.3%) and of a healthy weight (33.3%). Many had pre-existing conditions (86.8%) and several (19%) had psychoactive drug use. Findings are anticipated to contribute to prevention policy improvements and assist medico-legal death investigations.

Anthropology: Taphonomy in the Forensic Context

This chapter defines the term ‘taphonomy’ and summarizes the history of the study as pursued in various disciplines. Intrinsic and extrinsic variables that affect preservation of human remains are summarized. This is followed by an examination of the questions that forensic taphonomy can potentially address, including: what is the estimated time since death/postmortem interval or time since deposition/post-burial interval?; how did the remains come to be where they were located or discovered?; what actions may have taken place to conceal the victim’s identity or the crime?; and which factors effect injury interpretation, specifically, differentiating perimortem trauma from postmortem changes?

Missing Persons Investigations and Identification: Issues of Scale, Infrastructure, and Political Will

While in principle finding a missing person (presumed deceased) involves identification of unknown human remains through an apparently simple comparison of ante- and postmortem data, there are a number of variables that in practice make the process very complex. The geographic and sociopolitical context of where and how a person goes missing often determines the time taken to start the search as well as the logistical and financial infrastructure in place to facilitate both the search and the identification process. The circumstances of the disappearance and the response time also have an impact on the preservation and condition of the remains which in turn affects the identification process. This chapter considers each of these variables in light of the different scenarios in which people go missing.