The progression from disaster victim identification (DVI) to disaster victim management (DVM): a necessary evolution

Excerpt

This issue of Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology presents a wide range of papers that deal with all aspects of disaster victim identification (DVI). The focus of many of the submissions has been on the expanding role of individual disciplines, the refining and integration of services, the formulation and implementation of international protocols, and the overview of processes to ensure that they are fulfilling their role appropriately. In short, this issue demonstrates the evolution of simple victim identification into the complex integrated approach that is now seen in so many of these events. It encompasses all aspects of such exercises that should now be included under the broader umbrella of disaster victim management (DVM), rather than merely identification. This issue deliberately contains many papers that do not represent original research, but instead summarize approaches to situations and methodology. This resulted from a decision by the editors to make this issue useful as a handbook for developing local DVI/M programs, in addition to being able to be taken to disaster areas as a practice manual. …