A Forensic Approach to Complex Identification Cases: The Collapse of an Italian Cemetery into the Sea

On 22 February 2021, a coastal landslide in Italy caused the collapse of an old cemetery, displacing approximately 370 coffins, with over 200 plunging into the sea. This disaster necessitated the recovery and identification of human remains under challenging conditions to provide closure to families and uphold the dignity of the deceased.

Recovery operations involved firefighters and scuba divers, followed by forensic analysis conducted by the Medical Staff of Legal and Forensic Medicine. A post-mortem team utilized forms adapted from Interpol's Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) standards to document remains, which included 140 decomposed bodies and 193 bags of commingled skeletal remains. DNA samples were collected from 147 bone fragments, primarily long bones and teeth, and compared with ante-mortem data gathered from relatives.

Of the 77 eligible relatives, 66 consented to DNA sample collection for genetic profiling, and 28 bodies were identified. Personal effects, clothing, medical devices, and a strong match between non-genetic AM and PM data led to an attribution of identity of other 19 individuals. Advanced post-mortem phenomena were observed in remains spanning from the late 19th century to 2017. An identification area at the cemetery facilitated streamlined operations, emphasizing environmental preservation and forensic accuracy.

The cemetery collapse highlights the necessity for tailored forensic approaches in disaster scenarios. Accurate identification methods, combining genetic analysis and secondary means, are crucial for ensuring dignified burials and providing closure to affected families.