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disaster. INTERPOL played a key role in coordinating the international victim identification
effort and in providing logistical and communications support. More than 2,000 personnel from
31 nations were involved in the identification process, collecting DNA samples, conducting
forensic analysis, logging data and helping with the repatriation of tsunami victims’ remains.
Of the identifications in the year following, approximately 45 per cent were made via dental
records, 35 per cent by fingerprints and the remaining 20 per cent by DNA. The number of DNA
identifications is expected to rise significantly during the final stages of the process.
Again, this demonstrates the importance of forensic matter in assisting the identification of
individuals which assisted in providing closure for their loved ones.
Fingerprints
In criminal investigations the evidence of fingerprints has become an extremely important area.
Since fingerprints are unique to the individual and do not change throughout their life they are
extremely useful in either proving or disproving an individual’s identity. They have been used
for identification purposes for over a century and due to the advancements in technology have
more recently become automated (i.e. a biometric). They are a popular source of identification
for a number of reasons these include ‘their inherent ease in acquisition, the numerous
sources (ten fingers) available for collection, and their established use and collections by law
enforcement and immigration’ (NSTC Subcommittee on Biometrics: 2006 : 1)
Furthermore, fingerprints can also be collected at a crime scene and have the potential to either
link a series of crimes together and/or place an individual at the scene. They are also extremely
helpful in Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) where victims can be identified after a disaster
such as an earthquake or a bombing.
INTERPOL manages a database which contains over 146,000 fingerprint records and over 3,500
crime scene marks. Authorized individuals in member countries can access INTERPOL’s secure
global police communications network I-24/7 in order to view, submit and cross-check records
via the automatic fingerprint identification system – AFIS.
Fingerprints can be taken by law enforcement officers using an electronic device or manually
using ink and paper which is then scanned and saved in the appropriate format.
DNA – Deoxyribonucleic acid
Like fingerprints, DNA is also extremely vital in assisting criminal investigations. These molecules
contain the information all living cells in the human body require to function. With the exception
of identical twins, DNA is unique to an individual so in the same way as fingerprints it is very
useful in ascertaining a victim’s identity in a disaster and useful for solving crimes.
The first step in obtaining DNA profiles for comparison is the collection of samples from crime
scenes and reference samples from suspects. Samples are commonly obtained from blood, hair
or body fluids. Using forensic science methods, the sample is analyzed which then creates a
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