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Industry Case Studies

Case Studies Revealing Means of Identification

The following case studies reveal how victims are identified in various types of disasters.  The medical examiner has three responsibilites:

  • Identify the vicitm using the quickest means and modality
  • Determine the cause of death
  • Preserve any forensic evidence for criminal cases

It is always easier to compare a victim using their own bio identity profile than it is to identify a victim utilizing familial reconstruction or a known reference sample (tooth brush, hair, etc.) that may or may not yield a quality result.  Challenges often encountered in identifying victims occur when a reference sample becomes degraded or familial reconstruction cannot be completed due to a paternity exclusion that may be unknow to the family. 

The data collected in the following case studies does not reveal personal or confidential information of the victims.  We respect the privacy of each victim and their families. The purpose of these studies is to provide an understanding of how victims are identified and which modalities are used to accomplish this task.

The data presented has been prepared by DNA TOTAL PROFILE, INC. which has been collected from the affiliated agencies.  For more information Contact Us

# Article Title
1 9/11 World Trade Center
2 Hurricane Katrina 8/29/2005
3 BP Explosion - Texas City, TX 3/23/2005
4 Virgina Tech Massacre 4/16/2007
5 Imperial Sugar Plant Fire 2/7/2008
6 Charleston Furniture Store 6/18/2007