Korean J Anat.  2003 Feb;36(1):39-48.

Anatomy in Disaster Victim Identification: Air China Crash near Kimhae Airport

• Han KH
• Jo GR
• Park DK
• Lee UY
• Han SH
• Kim J
• Kwon IH
• Kim KH

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.

Keyword

Mass disaster; Aircraft accident; Identification; Anatomy

MeSH Terms

Aircraft
Airports*
Anatomists
Autopsy
China*
Cooperative Behavior
Dental Records
Disaster Victims*
Disasters*
DNA Fingerprinting
Gyeongsangnam-do*
Humans
Korea
Research Personnel