Mass Fatality Incidents: A Guide for Forensic Identification

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Section 4.5: Identification of Human Remains—FingerprintsI. Initiate Preparation forFingerprint ActivitiesPrinciple. Fingerprint identification is apositive means of identifying unknown victimsand confirming the identification ofthose who are tentatively identified byother means (e.g., witness descriptions orphotographs).Procedure. When it appears that the identificationof mass fatality incident victimsmay be made or expedited by fingerprintidentification, implement the followingprocedures—A. Obtain a list (e.g., a passengers’ manifestor employment records) anddescription (e.g., sex and date of birth)of possible victims:1. Obtain antemortem prints anddocument their source.2. Establish a log of antemortemprints.3. Establish antemortem and postmortemprint files.B. Establish onscene protocols for theprotection of fingerprints, palm prints,and footprints during collection andrecovery operations. The protection ofthe hands, fingers, and feet by theremains/evidence processing teams isof paramount importance.C. Establish document control and maintainthe chain of custody.D. Consult with the medical examiner/coroner and other forensic identificationspecialists to establish morgueprotocols before processing theremains.Summary. Appropriate preparation anddocumentation is essential for the successfulidentification of individuals by fingerprintexamination.II. Prepare Morgue forPostmortem FingerprintExaminationPrinciple. The fingerprint processing ofremains, especially those that have beenburned or have sustained appendage trauma,may be a long and tedious functioninvolving the use of surgical instruments,chemicals, and fingerprinting equipment.Procedure. A fingerprint processing areacan include—A. Waist-high gurneys.B. Comparison work area.C. Specialized equipment (usually providedby the fingerprint examiner).D. Desk lighting and running water.E. Appropriate airtight containers to storefingers, toes, and any ridge material.Summary. Fingerprinting remains may bea long and difficult process. The morguefacility is expected to provide a properlyequipped, safe, and adequate workspaceto facilitate the identification process.33
SPECIAL REPORT / JUNE 05III. Commence Print ProcessingPrinciple. In conjunction with the medicalexaminer/coroner, the fingerprint examineris responsible for processing remains in aneffort to record friction ridge skin for thepurpose of identification.Procedure. When processing remains forfingerprints, palm prints, and footprints,the fingerprint examiner is expected to—A. Initiate and maintain anexamination/activity log.B. Record and verify available identifyingdata (e.g., body number, basicdescriptors).C. Photograph remains/friction ridge surfacesbefore processing.D. Examine for and collect trace evidencefrom friction ridge surfaces.E. Prepare friction ridge skin for printing.F. Obtain authorization from the medicalexaminer/coroner before removing fingersor hands:1. Label all removed body partsimmediately.2. Ensure that all labeled body partsare reassociated with the appropriatebody.G. Print all available friction ridge skin onhands and feet.H. Document the fingerprint examinationprocess:1. Record the name of the fingerprintexaminer (printed and signed) anddate of examination on the fingerprintcard.2. Document and log the number(s)assigned to the body/remains (includingdesignation and descriptors)on the fingerprint card.3. Document friction skin area recordedas well as areas not available orunsuitable for recording.It may become necessary to fingerprint survivorsof the incident for exclusionary purposes.Summary. When processing remains foridentification, the fingerprint examiner isexpected to record friction ridge surfacesprinted, document the processes employed,and maintain legible and accuraterecords.IV. Conduct Comparison andIdentificationPrinciple. The comparison of antemortemfingerprint records with those obtaineddirectly from the remains by the fingerprintexaminer may lead to the positiveidentification of the deceased.Procedure. Upon obtaining the antemortemfingerprint records of potentialmass fatality incident victims, the fingerprintexaminer is expected to—A. Compare antemortem with postmortemprints.B. Identify a second qualified fingerprintexaminer to verify all identifications(consistent with discipline standards)and document the findings on thepostmortem card.C. Initiate automated fingerprint identificationsystem (AFIS) searches in availabledatabases if no antemortemprints are present.D. Notify the medical examiner/coroner ofeach identification in a timely manner.34
Page 3 and 4: JUNE 05Mass Fatality Incidents: A G
Page 5 and 6: Message From the DirectorEvery acti
Page 7 and 8: Technical Working Group for Mass Fa
Page 9 and 10: Cook County HospitalChicago, Illino
Page 11 and 12: AcknowledgmentsThe National Institu
Page 13 and 14: Appendix D. Procedures for DNA Samp
Page 15 and 16: SPECIAL REPORT / JUNE 05III. Consid
Page 17 and 18: Section 2: Arriving at the SceneI.
Page 19 and 20: MASS FATALITY INCIDENTS: A GUIDE FO
Page 21 and 22: Section 3: Processing the Scene I.
Page 25: Identification of Human Remains SEC
Page 30 and 31: Section 4.2: Identification of Huma
Page 34 and 35: SPECIAL REPORT / JUNE 05idiosyncras
Page 36 and 37: SPECIAL REPORT / JUNE 05inventory,
Page 38 and 39: SPECIAL REPORT / JUNE 05b. Train in
Page 40 and 41: SPECIAL REPORT / JUNE 0530g. Conduc
Page 46 and 47: SPECIAL REPORT / JUNE 05remains. A
Page 48 and 49: SPECIAL REPORT / JUNE 05C. Establis
Page 50 and 51: Section 4.8: Identification of Huma
Page 52 and 53: Section 5: Disposition of Human Rem
Page 56 and 57: SPECIAL REPORT / JUNE 05Procedure.
Page 58 and 59: SPECIAL REPORT / JUNE 05Procedure.
Page 60 and 61: SPECIAL REPORT / JUNE 05Federal Avi
Page 62 and 63: Appendix B. Disaster Mortuary Opera
Page 64 and 65: Appendix C. Facilities/Organization
Page 66 and 67: Appendix D. Procedures for DNASampl
Page 68 and 69: SPECIAL REPORT / JUNE 05Potential L
Page 70 and 71: Appendix F. Dental Numbering System
Page 72 and 73: Appendix G. Sample Remains ReleaseA
Page 74 and 75: SPECIAL REPORT /JUNE 05AFIP, Office
Page 76 and 77: SPECIAL REPORT /JUNE 05Indiana Stat
Page 78 and 79: SPECIAL REPORT /JUNE 05National Gov
Page 80 and 81: SPECIAL REPORT /JUNE 05Tarrant Coun
Page 82 and 83: About the National Institute of Jus

Mass Fatality Incidents: A Guide for Forensic Identification

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