Mass Fatality Management

doi:10.1017/CBO9780511902482.023

21 - Mass Fatality Management

from PART II - OPERATIONAL ISSUES

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 August 2011

Paul S. Sledzik and

Sharon W. Bryson

Edited by

Kristi L. Koenig and

Carl H. Schultz

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Kristi L. Koenig: Affiliation:
University of California, Irvine
Carl H. Schultz: Affiliation:
University of California, Irvine

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Summary

OVERVIEW

For a civilization to deserve that name, all of life must be valued, including the absent life of the dead. Mate Reyes

INTRODUCTION

Although many methods exist to measure the impact of a disaster, the number of dead speaks the loudest. Caring for the sick, injured, and displaced is understandably the most important work of disaster responders. For the public, media, government, and society, however, the number of disaster fatalities reflects the true magnitude of the tragedy. Acknowledging the effort of mass fatality managers is largely focused on the dead; the work is actually done for the living.

The disaster dead must be located, recovered, transported, stored, examined, documented, tested, identified, and returned to families for final disposition. Each step requires specialists in forensic science and funeral services. The processing of the dead follows legal requirements dictated by the disaster and by the jurisdiction in which the event occurred. For example, scenes of terrorist bombings must be managed and documented at a level that would not be required for every type of disaster because terrorism is considered to be a criminal activity.

The physical processing of the dead encompasses logistical and scientific considerations, such as location and recovery of remains, forensic identification efforts, handling of the dead, and the final disposition of remains. Information about these processes must be provided to family members, the media, and politicians.

Keywords

disaster fatalities disaster victim identification DNA analysis nondisaster forensic casework mass fatality management mass fatality response

Type: Chapter
Information: Koenig and Schultz's Disaster Medicine
Comprehensive Principles and Practices
, pp. 312 - 325

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511902482.023 [Opens in a new window]

Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Print publication year: 2009

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21 - Mass Fatality Management

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