Understanding the challenges of disaster victim identification
Perspectives of Australian forensic practitioners
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 13119660 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Natasa Adamovic (University of Tasmania, corresponding author), Loene M Howes (0000-0002-5656-6121, University of Tasmania), Rob White (0000-0002-8800-0093, University of Tasmania), Roberta Julian (0000-0003-0634-2055, University of Tasmania) |
| Year | 2023 |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue | 2 |
| Pages | 107-115 |
| Publication date | 2023-06-01 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Forensic Sciences Research (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 2471-1411 • E-ISSN: 2096-1790 |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1093/fsr/owad020 |
| PMID | 37621448 |
| OpenAlex | W4381805649 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 1 |
| References cited | 36 |
Disaster victim identification (DVI) is an important process in the aftermath of disasters to provide answers for the families and communities of victims. Australian forensic practitioners contribute to such processes internationally under difficult post-disaster circumstances. The aim of the study was to better understand the challenges experienced by forensic practitioners in international DVI operations. Participants ( N = 20) included DNA analysts, fingerprint examiners, forensic odontologists, forensic pathologists, and mortuary technicians who had experience in DVI operations. Participants were interviewed about their experiences and perceptions of the challenges of DVI. The findings provide valuable insights into the types of DVI operations in which Australian forensic practitioners have been involved internationally. Thematic analysis of interview data resulted in five main themes: the post-disaster work environment; DVI management and processes; political and financial influences; teamwork in intercultural and interdisciplinary contexts; and confronting the emotional realities of DVI work. The analysis highlights the interrelated challenges associated with DVI operations in international contexts. Practitioners also provided suggestions for improvement, which generally aligned with the themes and reflected an ethos of learning and continuous improvement in DVI. Further research on education and training and capacity-development initiatives is warranted
Identification (biology · Political science · Public relations · Qualitative research · Sociology · Teamwork · Thematic analysis · Work (physics · Disaster Management and Resilience · Disaster Response and Management · Engineering · Migration, Health and Trauma · Psychology
Change and the politics of certainty
What is a Disaster
Holding on to hope
Exploring Technologies to Better Link Physical Evidence and Digital Information for Disaster Victim Identification
Management of the dead from the Islamic law and international humanitarian law perspectives
One size fits all? What counts as quality practice in (reflexive) thematic analysis
Using thematic analysis in psychology
Disaster victim identification operations with fragmented, burnt, or commingled remains
Human rights, human remains
Forensic identification and identity politics in 2004 post-tsunami Thailand
Stressful but rewarding
| Highly cited | No |
|---|