The certification and disposal of the dead in major disasters

When a major disaster occurs in which there are a large number of fatalities, many tasks have to be undertaken in a very short time and under great pressure. By considering in advance the potential difficulties which may be encountered it is possible to plan ways of overcoming, or at least minimizing, some of these problems. In this paper we have ventilated some of the problems concerning the certification and disposal of the victims of a major disaster, as seen from the pathologist's point of view.