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31.07.2023 | Original Article

Management of unidentified and unclaimed bodies: a comparison of model from four countries in the Asia Pacific Region

verfasst von: Lay See Khoo, Poh Soon Lai, Sheue Feng Siew, Mohamad Azaini Ibrahim

Erschienen in: Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology | Ausgabe 2/2024

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Abstract

Managing mass fatality incidents or disasters involving multiple deaths are not uncommon among forensic practitioners. In fact, management of unidentified or unknown bodies is also a vital component of the day-to-day mortuary work practice. The unidentified and subsequently unclaimed bodies have always been a “silent mass disaster,” a problem that needs to be tackled within the forensic community and raises the global issue of ethics, law, and human rights. Unidentified bodies’ in Malaysia make up an average of 4.02% of all death cases where a total postmortem examination was performed which is comparable with other developing countries within 4–10% which can go up to 25%. Moreover, unstandardized procedures in all mortuaries in different states and districts in Malaysia have worsened the scenario even with guidelines in place. This study aims to address the issues surrounding unidentified and unclaimed bodies including body disposal from a social and legal perspective using case study methodology by comparing four different countries in the Asia Pacific Region through document analysis and interview methods. One of the major findings is evident in 3 out of the 4 models, whereby there is a considerable gap in consolidating the missing person report and information to match with the unidentified bodies received in forensic institutions in an attempt to enhance the identification process which ultimately intends as a closure for the family members. It is also timely to think out of the box beyond dental records and DNA profiling to improve the identification rate for skeletonized remains through means of anthropology biometrics comparison. With the limited literature published surrounding this domain, it is hoped that the suggestions and recommendations to standardize the management of unidentified and unclaimed bodies can benefit many forensic institutions and public mortuaries in this region.
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Metadaten
Titel
Management of unidentified and unclaimed bodies: a comparison of model from four countries in the Asia Pacific Region
verfasst von
Lay See Khoo
Poh Soon Lai
Sheue Feng Siew
Mohamad Azaini Ibrahim
Publikationsdatum
31.07.2023
Verlag
Springer US
Erschienen in
Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology / Ausgabe 2/2024
Print ISSN: 1547-769X
Elektronische ISSN: 1556-2891
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-023-00683-6

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