Anatomy in Disaster Victim Identification: Air China Crash near Kimhae Airport.
- Author:
Ki Hwan HAN
1
;
Gam Rae JO
;
Dae Kyoon PARK
;
U Young LEE
;
Seung Ho HAN
;
Jin KIM
;
Il Hoon KWON
;
Kwang Hoon KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. khhan@catholic.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Mass disaster;
Aircraft accident;
Identification;
Anatomy
- MeSH:
Aircraft;
Airports*;
Anatomists;
Autopsy;
China*;
Cooperative Behavior;
Dental Records;
Disaster Victims*;
Disasters*;
DNA Fingerprinting;
Gyeongsangnam-do*;
Humans;
Korea;
Research Personnel
- From:Korean Journal of Anatomy
2003;36(1):39-48
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Positive identification of human remains is one of the most important tasks in mass disaster management. Intervention of highly trained anatomists is essential for the effective procedures. However, most anatomists have not so much chances and/or experiences in this field in Korea. Recently, there was an aircraft accident leaving 128 people dead or missing. Most of the bodies were severely fragmented and incinerated beyond recognition. We joined as a member of national identification team and supported identifying skeletal remains. Physical characteristics of the dead bodies were obtained through autopsies and X-ray. We also interviewed family members of the victims and collected antemortem medical and dental records. Collaboration between the different professional investigators involving anatomists, forensic pathologists, odontologists, and other scientists resulted in rapid resolution and identified 126 of the 128 victims in 26 days. This article represents diverse methods that were used and the results including DNA typing, dental records and specific anatomical or X-ray findings.
