The Forensic Anthropologist in the Mass Fatality Context
Year: 2016
Type: article
Abstract: Mass fatality incidents require a multi-agency, multidisciplinary response to effectively and efficiently manage the recovery and identification of human remains. The forensic anthropologist is uniquely suited for a significant role in the disaster response, demonstrated in the recovery and triage of human remains, interpretation of skeletal trauma, and identification of victims. However, the majority of published literature discusses these response operations in the context of large-scale incidents with significant numbers of highly fragmented and commingled human remains, which does not reflect the operational reality of mass fatality incidents in the United States. This article provides a realistic definition of the term "mass fatality incident" for medicolegal jurisdictions and provides the contributions of the forensic anthropologist for all types of incidents.
Source: Academic Forensic Pathology
DOI: 10.23907/2016.046
Authors: Jason M. Wiersema, Allison Woody
Institution: Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences
Language: English
Subfield: Archeology (arts and humanities)
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2606144158