[Mass disasters in former East Germany--a forensic medicine retrospect]

The authors report the analysis of mass disasters, which had been dealt with by forensic experts, on the territory of the former GDR. The report comes on the initiative of the Society of Forensic Medicine and with the support of regional institutes. For the period 1960 to 1989, 20 events with 738 casualties were registered. The number of victims was particularly high in aviation and rail disasters as well as in the Zwickau mine disaster. The Forensic Institute of the Humboldt-University in Berlin was engaged in the investigation of the three airplane crashes on Berlin territory and near Berlin (Königs-Wusterhausen 1972, Berlin-Bohnsdorf 1986 and Berlin-Schönefeld 1989) as well as of the railway disaster near Lebus in 1977. As a result of the analysis, the experience gained in three decades regarding the planning, organization and realization of the identification of victims is dealt with in more detail. It emphasizes the significance of close cooperation with dentists and criminalists. Because of ethical, legal and criminalistic reasons the aim should always be a complete examination (including autopsy) of the victims as well as their identification.