Forensic odontology, part 2. Major disasters.

Area of Science:

• Forensic Science
• Disaster Management

Background:

• Mass fatality incidents have significant and lasting impacts on individuals and communities.
• Effective response is critical for managing the aftermath of such events.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the necessity of efficient and sensitive victim identification in mass fatality incidents.
• To emphasize the importance of trained, multidisciplinary Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) teams and protocols.

Main Methods:

• Review of the importance of established Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) protocols.
• Discussion of the role of forensic odontology in victim identification using antemortem dental records.

Main Results:

• The paper underscores the critical need for organized and sensitive responses to mass fatality events.
• It highlights the established presence and readiness of multidisciplinary DVI teams in many countries.

Conclusions:

• Trained Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) teams are vital for effective response to mass fatalities.
• Accurate antemortem dental records are indispensable for forensic odontologists in identifying victims.