Page 34 - RADC Bulletin 2022

DEVELOPMENT
Disaster Victim Identification Training – Vancouver, Canada –
June 2022
Maj Tom Drinkel
Having joined the Defence Dental Identification Team (DDIT) in 2017, I have gradually built up my experience, attending a number of human identifications on which we have been tasked through a Memorandum of Understanding through either the Oxfordshire or Lincolnshire Coroner’s Office. The cases that we have been requested to attend have varied
from victims of car crashes to agricultural accidents. With the support of the DDIT lead, Wg Cdr Mel Clarkson, I have had
the opportunity to take the role of lead odontologists on call outs, carrying out post-mortem (PM) (after death) dental examinations and submit reports to the Coroner’s Office.
An important part of DDIT member development is the chance to undertake Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) training. DVI is the internationally accepted term for the processes and procedures for recovering and identifying deceased people and remains in multiple fatality incidents. These types of incidents can range from a natural disaster, a bus crash, or very relevant within the military an IED explosion.
Some DVIs may be closed disasters, where there are a known numbers of victims and identities such as from a flight manifest after a plane crash. Open disasters in contrast have unknown numbers and identities which causes far more challenges, as was the case during the 2004 South
East Asia Tsunami. The Lockerbie bombing in 1988 is an example of a mixed disaster where there were known victims on the flight but also 11 unknown victims after the plane crashed into a residential street. Forensic Odontology is one of three primary methods of human identification alongside DNA and fingerprints. It is regularly used due to the fact it is relatively quick, reliable, cheaper
in comparison to other methods of primary identification and can be utilised in field conditions.
DVI training is not easy to come by so when the chance to take up the opportunity to attend a course in the beautiful city of Vancouver arranged by the British Columbia Forensic Odontology Response Team (BC FORT), I jumped at the chance. Myself
and CPO Janice Hearne were the UK representatives within a group of military personnel from seven different nations.
The course lasted 5 days and was based around a mock scenario involving a speed boat and ferry crash in Howe Sound in Vancouver. Through the course of the week we were required to work through the process of carrying out PM examinations on demonstration remains, conduct a thorough review of ante mortem (AM) (before death/ missing person) dental records, before reconciling the PM records with the AM records to reach a conclusion on the identification.
The PM examinations were carried out in a makeshift mortuary at Seaforth Armoury. We were provided with demonstration remains which we examined carefully and thoroughly as part of our PM examination, including taking any radiographic views such as bitewings or periapicals, that could be compared against the AM dental evidence. With limited time and only potentially
having one chance to view the remains it is important to gather all the dental evidence at your disposal to ensure an accurate identification. We worked in pairs taking turns to conduct our examinations and quality assuring our work.
We returned to the classroom the next day where we were provided with AM records for known identities that were missing from the speed boat and ferry crash. AM records are obtained by identifying previous dentists of potential victims and may include any part of the dental record including charting, treatment notes, radiographs, study models or clinical photos. It is important to gather as much of this AM dental evidence as possible to build a collaborative, accurate profile
of the missing person. It is essential for comparison and without it an identification is not possible.
Once we had both PM and AM charting complete we were able to commence reconciliation. This is the process by which
we compare the two and attempt to find corresponding features that may lead to
an identification. On a large scale DVI
this process would be assisted by using software, eg. PLASSDATA (database). Dental identifications are reached by looking for concordant features such as teeth
and restorations present, and distinctive anatomical features of teeth and surrounding structures and restorations. On the final day we were required to present our findings to the DVI board.
The course not only provided invaluable experience in the practical DVI process
but was also a great opportunity to work alongside our colleagues from other nations, building relationships that may be useful for future deployments. Meeting the members of the BC FORT who were leading the course was a privilege, and we were able to learn a great deal from their own personal experience working on previous disasters. One of the key lessons I took home was the fact that in a DVI you are just one part in a much larger process and the importance
of working effectively with colleagues and knowing your role within this process is key.
If you are interested in joining the DDIT, trawls are carried out periodically whenever there is a requirement for new members. This is usually open to both Dental Officers and Dental Care Professionals. Selection has previously been very competitive so it is recommended you seek CPD in the area to develop your understanding, or discuss the role with existing members.
32 RADC BULLETIN 2022