Mass Fatality Scene Processing: Best Practice Recommendations for the Medicolegal 

Authority

Mass Fatality Scene 

Processing: Best Practice 

Recommendations for the 

Medicolegal Authority

Disaster Victim Identification Subcommittee

Crime Scene/Death Investigation Scientific Area Committee

Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science
Mass Fatality Scene Processing: Best Practice Recommendations for the Medicolegal 

Authority

OSAC Proposed BPR

Mass Fatality Scene Processing: Best 

Practice Recommendations for the 

Medicolegal Authority

Prepared by 

Disaster Victim Identification Subcommittee

Version: 1.0

May 2019

Disclaimer:

This document has been developed by the Disaster Victim Identification Subcommittee of the 

Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science through a consensus 

process and is proposed for further development through a Standard Developing Organization 

(SDO). This document is being made available so that the forensic science community and 

interested parties can consider the recommendations of the OSAC pertaining to applicable 

forensic science practices. The document was developed with input from experts in a broad array 

of forensic science disciplines as well as scientific research, measurement science, statistics, law, 

and policy. 

This document has not been published by a SDO. Its contents are subject to change during the 

standards development process. All interested groups or individuals are strongly encouraged to 

submit comments on this proposed document during the open comment period administered by 

the Academy Standards Board (www.asbstandardsboard.org). 
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Mass Fatality Scene Processing: Best Practice Recommendations for the Medicolegal 

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Mass Fatality Scene Processing:

Best Practice Recommendations for the Medicolegal Authority

1 Forward

Medicolegal authorities must be proactive in developing capabilities for mass fatality search 

and recovery operations. Because successful disaster victim identification efforts begin with, and 

are reliant upon, efficient, effective, and timely search and recovery efforts, mass fatality incident 

scenes should be processed in an organized, systematic, safe, and ethical manner, using scientific 

principles and techniques. Systematic search and recovery approaches that maximize disaster 

scene coverage increase the probability of evidence detection, enhance evidence documentation, 

and minimize evidence alteration during collection and transport.

Mass fatality scenes are contexts where human remains and other associated evidence (e.g., 

personal effects, vehicle wreckage, structural debris, etc.) have been deposited within the broader 

context of the topography and physical characteristics of the landscape. These scenes can be 

broadly categorized as having resulted from an accident, criminal activity, or natural phenomena. 

The immediate aftermath of such incidents are often complex, presenting commingled human 

biological remains, personal effects, and other diagnostic evidence distributed over areas ranging in 

size from meters to kilometers. Identification of decedents begins in the field and the quality 

of work at the recovery scene can directly influence the overall success of the victim 

identification process at the disaster morgue.

These best practices are put forth by the Disaster Victim Identification subcommittee within OSAC. 

This document originated from the Scientific Working Group on Disaster Victim Identification 

(SWGDVI).

2 Acknowledgments

Editor: Dennis Dirkmaat, Mercyhurst University – Mercyhurst Archaeological Institute

Drafting Working Group Members:

Richard Marx, Federal Bureau of Investigation

Luis Cabo-Perez, Mercyhurst Archaeological Institute and University of Burgos 

Christian Crowder, New York City - Office of Chief Medical Examiner

Eric Emery, National Transportation Safety Board

Michael Hochrein, Federal Bureau of Investigation 

Gary Reinecke, Boston University
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Mass Fatality Scene Processing: Best Practice Recommendations for the Medicolegal 

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Table of Contents

Mass FatalitySceneProcessing:.........................................................................................................................................0

BestPracticeRecommendations for the Medicolegal Authority...................................................................................0

Mass Fatality Scene Processing:........................................................................................................................................1

Best Practice Recommendations for the Medicolegal Authority ................................................................................1

1 Forward .......................................................................................................................................................................................1

2 Acknowledgments ...................................................................................................................................................................1

Editor: Dennis Dirkmaat, Mercyhurst University – Mercyhurst Archaeological Institute....................................................1

4 Scope.............................................................................................................................................................................................4

5 Terms and Definitions............................................................................................................................................................5

6 Recommendations...................................................................................................................................................................5

6.1.1 Jurisdiction..........................................................................................................................................................................6

6.1.2 Management.......................................................................................................................................................................6

6.1.3 Assessment..........................................................................................................................................................................7

6.2.1 Developing a Plan .............................................................................................................................................................7

6.2.2 Activation Criteria ............................................................................................................................................................7

6.2.3 Dissemination and Training.........................................................................................................................................7

6.3.1 Collect Critical Incident Information.........................................................................................................................8

6.3.2 Conduct Scene Reconnaissance Survey ....................................................................................................................8

6.3.3 Conduct Risk Assessment Analysis ............................................................................................................................8

6.3.4 Initial Scene Documentation ........................................................................................................................................9

6.3.5 Establish Numbering System for Human Remains and Personal Effects .....................................................9

6.3.6 Establish Regular Meeting Times for Incident Command .................................................................................9

6.4.1 Establish Scene Perimeters and Security.................................................................................................................9

6.4.2 Establish Badging/Credentialing Procedures and Stations..............................................................................9

6.4.3 Establish Staging Areas for Equipment, Supplies, and Personnel.................................................................10

6.4.4 Establish Times/Locations for Operational Meetings with SceneRecovery Personnel.......................10

6.4.5 Establish Remains Collection Points........................................................................................................................10

6.4.6 Determine What Evidence Will be Documented and How to Collect It.......................................................10

6.5.1 Implementing Effective and Efficient Search and Recovery Methodologies ............................................11

6.5.1.1 Systematic Searches for Evidence Strewn over Large Areas.......................................................................11

6.5.1.2 Systematic Search and Recovery Efforts for Concentrated/Commingled Evidence...........................11

6.5.1.3 Divide the Scene into Manageable Units.............................................................................................................11

6.5.2 Organize and Coordinate Search and Recovery Assets.....................................................................................11

6.5.2.1 Personnel Attributes..................................................................................................................................................11

6.5.2.2 Search and Recovery Personnel Roles ................................................................................................................12

6.5.2.3 Search and Recovery Primary Activities/Workflow......................................................................................12

6.5.2.4 Search and Recovery Teams....................................................................................................................................12

6.7.1 Search Procedure............................................................................................................................................................13

6.7.2 Investigative Procedure ...............................................................................................................................................13
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Mass Fatality Scene Processing: Best Practice Recommendations for the Medicolegal 

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6.7.3 Excavation Procedure ...................................................................................................................................................13

6.7.4 Mapping Procedure........................................................................................................................................................14

6.7.5 Photography Procedure ...............................................................................................................................................14

6.7.6 Evidence Collection and Transport Procedure....................................................................................................14

6.7.7 Intake Procedure ............................................................................................................................................................14

7 Tables .........................................................................................................................................................................................16

Table 1 – Search and Recovery Teams..................................................................................................................................16

Annex B............................................................................................................................................................................................18

A. Quality Manual........................................................................................................................................................................18

B. Quality Challenges .................................................................................................................................................................19
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4 Scope

This document provides definitions, guidelines, and best practices for the detection, processing, and 

recovery of physical and contextual evidence associated with mass fatality disaster scenes to ensure 

that evidence is carefully and consistently documented, and recovered in situ. This document 

focuses on terrestrial scenes that do not involve a significant hazardous materials component.

The purpose of these guidelines is to ensure that appropriate strategies are followed for the search 

and documentation of the scene, and the recovery of human remains, personal effects, and other 

probative evidence, while maintaining the chain-of-custody of all items, and ensuring that all areas 

associated with the scene are processed in a systematic manner. Also, it is important that evidence 

not be further altered, commingled, damaged, or its probative value diminished during the recovery 

process. A solid understanding of the key mass fatality scene management considerations is 

required, as it ultimately helps to guide the decision-making process. Also emphasized throughout 

the document is the importance of data management, quality assurance, and quality control 

throughout the search and recovery process.

In the US, the legal requirement for conducting victim recovery and victim identifications resides 

solely with the medicolegal authority in the jurisdiction where the incident occurred. However, it is 

possible that the high number of fatally-injured victims and the size of the scene associated with a 

disaster incident may exceed local capabilities and resources for conducting an efficient, effective, and 

timely recovery and identification effort. Such challenges demand a coordinated 

multidisciplinary and/or multijurisdictional response that may include the assistance of law 

enforcement, fire/rescue responders, medicolegal and forensic practitioners, and other 

investigative assets, both within and outside the jurisdiction of the medicolegal authority. 

Communication and cooperation are often keys to successful recovery operations.

It is anticipated that these best practices will be modified further as future technologies emerge. 

The recommended best practices in this document are intended to help promote the highest level of 

quality in disaster victim search and recovery operations. This document is applicable to the work of 

medical examiners, coroners, death investigators, and other forensic personnel, as well as public and 

private medical, forensic, and investigative professionals (and/or volunteers) that may assist a 

medicolegal authority at a disaster scene with any evidence detection, recording, and/or collection 

tasks. In the absence of specific guidance, the principle, spirit, and intent of this document should be 

met.
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5 Terms and Definitions

5.1

Medicolegal Investigation

The medicolegal investigation includes the collection of data, photographs, evidence, witness 

interviews, external examination of the body at the scene, and other forensic information and 

analysis that will contribute to the determination of cause and manner of death, reconstruction of the 

accident or crime scene, and support the provision of survivability factors.

6 Recommendations

Mass fatality scenes are highly variable in both type and scale. Decedents from these contexts are 

often not identifiable through conventional methods due to significant fragmentation, commingling, 

extensive thermal damage, trauma, and other modifying forces. Depending on the scale of the 

incident, human remains may also be in advanced stages of decomposition by the time responders 

can extricate them from the scene, thus adding to the overall suite of identification challenges. The 

medicolegal authority shall develop a scene processing strategy for a particular incident based on 

consideration of the characteristics of the incident. Minimally, the medicolegal authority shall 

address the following objectives:

Establish jurisdiction and ownership/oversight of the decedent recovery process; 

Locate the scene and identify its maximum boundaries;

Use an appropriate search strategy that maximizes the detection and collection of evidence; 

Use documentation methods that clearly, precisely, and accurately note the 

location, position and orientation of the evidence, while also serving to establish chain-ofcustody;

Recover, manage, and track evidence and human remains in a manner that does not harm 

their probative value or the chain-of-custody;

Establish a quality assurance strategy for scene processing activities; 

Conduct all activities in a respectful, compassionate, and ethical way.

In addition, distinguishing between a criminal incident and an accident often cannot 

be done prior to the start of the investigation process. Therefore, all mass fatality 

scenes,

whether related to criminal activity or not, shall be treated as medicolegal death scenes and

managed according to those forensic principles, methods, and techniques that best provide 

for the most appropriate evidence security, documentation, and proper chain-of-custody. 

Regardless of the type of incident encountered, preserving the overall integrity of the 

scene’s spatial and temporal context is critical.

Critical factors, with the potential to influence these core objectives and the overall recovery and 

identification effort, include, but are not restricted to the following:

Access to resources and assets (equipment and specialized personnel) and critical 

infrastructure

Size, scale, topography, and location of the scene 

Weather and environmental conditions

Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and High-Yield Explosive (CBRNE)/Toxic 

Industrial Chemical (TIC) environments

Open vs. closed decedent population 

Number of fatalities involved

Condition of the human remains (complete, fragmentary, decomposed, burned, etc.)

The focus of this document is specific to the role of the medicolegal authority and the medicolegal 

death investigation. Other investigative agencies will have a presence (depending on the incident);
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Mass Fatality Scene Processing: Best Practice Recommendations for the Medicolegal 

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however, their efforts should be coordinated with all other relevant investigative interests on scene 

in order to ensure the overall quality of the victim identification process.

Developing standards and best practices for mass fatality search and recovery operations is a 

difficult and complicated endeavor. At a conceptual level, duties and tasks for those involved 

in these operations are not complicated; however, the political and fiscal landscape in which 

these operations are conceived and conducted will influence the application of disaster scene 

operations.

The guidelines and best practices presented herein are compatible with those used in regular crime 

scene and medicolegal death investigation; however, they have been specifically designed to 

address the unique challenges faced by the high-volume victim search and recovery operations 

commonly associated with mass fatality disaster scenes. Practitioners should implement these 

guidelines and best practices when applicable, practical, and appropriate.

6.1 Organizational and Management System

6.1.1 Jurisdiction

The medicolegal authority is defined as an entity that can be held legally responsible for the victim 

recovery operation. That entity has the authority needed to execute its duties and meet the 

best practices outlined in this document. In the U.S., the chief medical examiner/coroner provides 

the lead, or designates a technical lead (e.g., a deputy coroner, death investigator, or other 

qualified individual), with sufficient authority to make and enforce decisions. It is the responsibility 

of the medicolegal authority overseeing disaster victim identification and death certification to 

conduct all on-scene search and recovery operations in a manner that best facilitates the scientific 

process of human identification; the exchange of factual and timely information with all 

appropriate stakeholders; and the return of all victim remains to their legal next of kin.

6.1.2 Management

The medicolegal authority shall define, maintain, and follow a management system designed to 

guide its personnel (and any support personnel) in the proper application and practice of scientific 

methods and techniques during disaster victim search and recovery operations. These operations 

should be consistent with, or exceed, the level of quality defined by the jurisdiction’s standard 

operating procedures for death scene processing, documentation, and evidence recording, 

collection, and security. The management system shall be well-documented, communicated, 

understood, and available for reference by all personnel.

The medicolegal authority shall specify and document the roles, responsibilities, and authority of all 

personnel who manage, perform, and/or verify any part of the search and recovery operation at the 

disaster scene.

A health and safety manager (however named) shall be appointed from within the medicolegal 

authority who, irrespective of other duties, will have the defined responsibility and authority 

for ensuring that the management system—as it relates to risk assessment and mitigation and worker 

health and safety—is being implemented and followed at all times throughout the disaster victim 

search and recovery operation on scene.
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6.1.3 Assessment

The management system shall be assessed following every disaster victim search and recovery 

operation involving multiple fatalities. The objective of this post-response assessment process will be 

to identify: deficiencies in resources; departures from the management system, standard 

operating procedures, or quality assurance and control mechanisms; and other lessons learned 

from the operation. When possible, the information generated by this assessment should be used to 

initiate actions that will help minimize (or prevent) similar deficiencies and/or departures during 

future operations.

6.2 Preparedness and Pre-incident Planning

6.2.1 Developing a Plan

Prior to the occurrence of a mass fatality incident, the medicolegal entity should construct a 

realistic, manageable, and detailed search and recovery plan as an integral component of the overall 

mass disaster plan. It should specifically address how to efficiently and effectively conduct search and 

recovery operations involving large numbers of human remains, personal effects, and other 

relevant evidence that may be widely scattered over a large area. The plan must ensure that 

the maximum amount of evidence is located, properly documented, and efficiently removed from 

the scene. The medicolegal plan related to search and recovery operations should include, but 

is not restricted to, the following items:

An organizational chart and additional information on how the medicolegal authority 

fits into the greater Incident Command System (ICS), or comparable hierarchical decisionmaking system, which will serve to:

o Establish a clear sense of the chain-of-command in order to reduce the potential for 

interagency conflicts

o Outline specific roles and duties for each of the agencies involved from within the 

medicolegal authority and from outside jurisdictions

A well-documented inventory of personnel, equipment, and other resources immediately 

available, either internally or through mutual aid agreements. This process will also 

highlight potential gaps that exist and allow the jurisdiction to more strategically 

target

assets needed through such agreements.

General recovery protocols or standard operating procedures for the search, detection, 

recording, and collection of probative evidence from a mass fatality context, that should 

include a typical sequence or checklist of activities required from start to finish onscene.

A logistics plan with pre-staged equipment and resources, including a retention schedule for 

perishable supplies.

Develop a health and safety plan (HASP) for field operations.

A continuity of operations (COOP) plan to ensure that normal day-to-day investigative 

operations are able to continue.

6.2.2 Activation Criteria

The medicolegal authorities should develop objective criteria to determine whether an incident 

warrants activation and implementation of its mass fatality incident response plan. Authorities 

responsible for activating a plan should consider incident characteristics for criteria such as: a predetermined number of potential fatalities, the need for a prolonged or complex victim recovery and 

identification operation, the need for a multi-agency response, international/diplomatic 

considerations, and other complicating circumstances such as CBRNE contamination.

6.2.3 Dissemination and Training
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Efforts must be made to disseminate the plan to all agencies involved in the response to a disaster. It 

is critical that the plan be tested, often through realistic exercises, revised, and updated. Changes in 

personnel, equipment, or other resources within the medicolegal authority should warrant 

immediate updates to the plan, as necessary.

6.3 Pre-Search and Recovery Operations and Considerations Following the Incident

Once an incident occurs, initial reports and information may not be reliable or accurate. Among the 

first tasks confronting any disaster response is determining the scope of the incident and the 

context of the victim recovery scene. Scene formation and disturbance information should be 

collected either through direct monitoring by a medicolegal representative embedded on-scene 

during life-safety operations, or by interviewing those involved in the life-safety operation at

an appropriate time prior to the start of victim recovery.

6.3.1 Collect Critical Incident Information

In order to effectively respond, the following information should be collected prior to any on-site 

evaluation of the physical scene:

Verify that the reported location of the disaster incident is indeed within the legal 

boundaries of the medicolegal authority’s jurisdiction. If the incident scene involves other 

jurisdictions, they must be contacted immediately.

Identify a point of contact within the agency that has jurisdiction over the scene to 

coordinate the initial scene reconnaissance survey.

The status of the decedent population (open vs. closed). 

An estimated number of fatalities involved.

The general condition of human remains (complete, fragmented, burned, decomposed).

The size and scale of the incident scene, and the terrain, topography and environmental 

setting (urban, rural, field and forest) of the scene.

Weather and other environmental factors for the next few days. 

Potential health and safety hazards.

Any immediate securityissues.

These data help shape the planning effort and the mobilization of personnel and resources for 

human remains recovery and identification, personal effects management, and other evidence 

collection and investigation activities.

6.3.2 Conduct Scene Reconnaissance Survey

In order to collect accurate information, it is often useful for the medicolegal authority, in 

conjunction with ICS (or other structure) member, to conduct a brief reconnaissance survey 

(usually a walk-through) of the disaster scene in order to rapidly evaluate the scene’s general size, 

boundaries, orientation, and complexity. This survey will assist with the development of an 

appropriate search and recovery strategy, as well as guide operational planning efforts and 

resource coordination.

Integrating the use of overhead imagery (e.g., aerial photography, satellite images), with data 

collected on the ground, can provide one of the most rapid, complete, and accurate initial 

evaluations of the incident area as a whole and the spatial distribution of the victim recovery scene 

across the landscape.

6.3.3 Conduct Risk Assessment Analysis

The medicolegal authority should conduct a risk assessment in conjunction with life-safety and law 

enforcement representatives at the scene before the start of any intrusive search, detection,
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recording, or collection operations. This will serve to identify any potential health and safety issues 

for the search and recovery team, and will lead to discussions of how to mitigate these issues.

6.3.4 Initial Scene Documentation

It is also useful for the medicolegal authority to begin recording the recovery scene’s formation and 

disturbance processes as soon as possible (e.g., the manner and extent to which the victims’ 

remains have been affected post-incident by first responders assisting the living). Nontransportable, contextual data will be lost unless it is documented by the medicolegal authority at or 

near the time that it receives access to the scene.

6.3.5 Establish Numbering System for Human Remains and Personal Effects

In order to maintain field provenience (i.e., specific locational information) and reduce 

complications with the accessioning of remains into the disaster morgue, a unique field numbering 

(tracking) system should be employed. Explicit instructions on assigning numbers to human 

remains and unassociated personal effects should be provided to those responsible for this task. 

For example, human remains and personal effects from the following scenarios would be assigned 

unique tracking numbers:

Intact or mostly intact remains (a body opposed to a portion of a body)

Dissociated large or small portions of bodies (remains with no connection to a body via a 

tissue bridge)

Concentrations of highly fragmented or commingled remains should be assigned a distinct 

field specimen number

In some cases, other agencies may be documenting non-biological evidence, such as unassociated 

personal effects, vehicle wreckage, etc., at the scene. The medicolegal authority should coordinate 

with these other agencies which may be assigning numbers to these other classes of evidence onscene. The objective is to mitigate issues related with duplication of numbers and the confusion 

when synthesizing data during mapping.

6.3.6 Establish Regular Meeting Times for Incident Command

Key members of Incident Command should meet at the beginning and end of operation periods or 

shift changes to discuss all aspects of the operation, identify issues, and correct emergent problems 

before they become major challenges to the DVI operation.

6.4 Staging for Search and Recovery Operations at the Disaster Scene

6.4.1 Establish Scene Perimeters and Security

Law enforcement provides initial scene security; however, in some circumstances the medicolegal 

authority may request additional security or enforcement of scene perimeters. Typically two scene 

perimeters should be created. An inner perimeter should be created around the immediate disaster 

scene and debris field accessible only to those processing the scene and an outer boundary should be 

created around the disaster scene to prevent access by media and the public. The area between the 

inner and outer perimeters should be used for planning operations, supply stations, staging 

areas, and other official activities that require allocation of space close to the incident scene. This area 

should be accessible to authorized personnel that may not require access to the inner perimeter.

6.4.2 Establish Badging/Credentialing Procedures and Stations

At the entrance of the outer perimeter, marking the outermost control zone, there should be 

a badging station to provide identification media for personnel according to their official roles, duties, 

and level of authorization. The highest level of access control should be the area that is immediately
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surrounding the inner perimeter. It is the area where scene processing is focused. Only authorized 

and qualified investigators and scene processors should be permitted to enter.

6.4.3 Establish Staging Areas for Equipment, Supplies, and Personnel

Designate convenient staging areas between the inner and outer perimeter for equipment and 

supplies (e.g., personal protective equipment), breaks, planning and coordination, and other official 

activities that require a footprint close to the inner perimeter.

6.4.4 Establish Times/Locations for Operational Meetings with Scene Recovery Personnel

Establish regular meeting times for individuals working on scene. Describe search and recovery 

procedures, timeframes to accomplish specific tasks, break schedules, lines of communication, and 

other pertinent information. These meetings are designed to maintain situational awareness for all 

search and recovery activities, which will be reported at the higher level meetings that may occur at 

the beginning and end of operational periods (or as designated by Incident Command or similar 

structure).

6.4.5 Establish Remains Collection Points

An important aspect of the recovery operation is to determine how remains will be moved from the 

disaster scene. Large incidents or complex scenes may require the use of remains collection points 

(RCPs) to provide for a staging location prior to transporting the decedents from the disaster scene 

to the disaster morgue. Here the evidence and associated information (e.g., field specimen numbers, 

provenience information) will be entered into databases by hand or through barcode scanning 

technology. Quality control, including verification of numbering system, data collection integrity, 

consistency, and quality, as well as other information can also occur here, prior to removal 

from scene.

6.4.6 Determine What Evidence Will be Documented and How to Collect It

Typically, a great deal of debris will be present on the disaster scene. Prior to search and recovery 

efforts, determine what will be documented and collected (e.g., human remains, personal effects, 

and other probative evidence), and what will be left behind for subsequent scene debris collectors 

(e.g., non-probative debris and other materials associated with the incident). Protocols for 

collecting disassociated remains and personal effects should be articulated in the Search and 

Recovery Plan; however, aspects of the scene may require changes to this protocol. If multiple 

agencies are involved, it is very important to maintain coordination between agencies in order to 

ensure that evidence is not compromised by the activities of a particular agency. Personal effects 

associated with remains should not be removed from remains at the scene; instead these items 

should be transported with the remains to the disaster morgue. Disassociated remains (remains not 

connected by a tissue bridge to an individual body or body part) should be collectedseparately.

It is recommended that smaller concentrations of highly fragmented and commingled remains are 

assigned one unique tracking number for the entire concentration/feature. These remains will need 

to be evaluated in the disaster morgue to determine if additional numbers will need to be 

generated.

If larger concentrations of remains are encountered, forensic archaeological excavations may 

be required.

6.5 Processing the Disaster Scene
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The primary goal of the processing effort is to systematically and comprehensively document 

evidence in situ, as it is done at non-disaster crime scenes. This will maximize not only the location of 

evidence, but will minimize any further damage or alteration. At most disaster scenes, the 

distribution and density of evidence on the landscape will vary from widely scattered, relatively lowdensity concentrations to areas of multi-layered and commingled evidence concentrations. 

Furthermore, the condition of remains may range from intact to highly fragmented. Therefore, 

different recovery strategies will likely be required.

6.5.1 Implementing Effective and Efficient Search and Recovery Methodologies

The medicolegal authority shall employ systematic search and recovery strategies that are 

comprehensive, efficient, and appropriate to the conditions of the recovery scene. All strategies 

should be scientifically designed and validated prior to use, and they should include a measure of 

search effectiveness.

6.5.1.1 Systematic Searches for Evidence Strewn over Large Areas

In areas of the disaster scenes and debris field in which evidence is widely dispersed but in 

low densities, a search, documentation, and recovery procedure in which teams work on their 

own, within their own corridor or recovery unit, concurrent with other teams is valid. Searching, 

recording, and collecting tasks follow closely in sequence. The search and recovery pattern should be 

logical, appropriate, and efficient for the search area and the number of personnelavailable.

6.5.1.2 Systematic Search and Recovery Efforts for Concentrated/Commingled Evidence

When evidence at the scene is densely concentrated and/or extensively commingled, the initial 

search and recovery method should be modified accordingly. For example, a more intensive 

forensic archaeological excavation methodology may be needed to recover evidence in-place, which 

requires a specialized team to execute effectively.

6.5.1.3 Divide the Scene into Manageable Units

Divide the scene into manageable search and recovery units, such as corridors, grids, city blocks, 

etc., based on the size and shape of the scene, distribution and density of evidence, type of terrain 

(urban vs. rural, flat vs. hilly; open field vs. forest, land vs. water, etc.), presence of hazardous 

materials, availability and experience of personnel, equipment, technological resources, among 

other possible considerations. Each unit can be processed by individual recovery teams working 

independently from other recovery teams, in other recovery units. The size and shape of the 

recovery units should be noted during planning stages on best available media, such as topographic 

maps, aerial photographs, or computer-generated GIS maps, which, in turn, will be used to 

plan, systematize, and track search efforts.

6.5.2 Organize and Coordinate Search and Recovery Assets

6.5.2.1 Personnel Attributes

The following is a list of attributes, training, and skill sets one should consider when developing 

teams:

Ability to conduct rapid and accurate assessment of forensic significance of biological 

tissue; specifically, human vs. non-human tissue

Knowledge of forensic archaeological search and recovery principles, methods, and 

practices
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Knowledge of field survey and mapping instruments, including GPS units and total stations 

(e.g., forensic anthropologists, archaeologists, law enforcement, accident reconstruction 

experts)

Experience handling crime scene evidence, paperwork, maintaining chain-of-custody 

Experience with crime scene photography

Subject matter experts specific to incident (e.g., hazmat technicians, confined space 

specialists)

6.5.2.2 Search and Recovery Personnel Roles

Regardless of the type or size of team utilized in performing search and recovery operations, the 

team should include the following roles, which may or may not equate to individual team members:

Team leaders responsible for overseeing the search and recovery operation in a specific 

area

Searchers, responsible for systematically searching the disaster scene for significant 

evidence, as well as documenting where they have searched

Medicolegal investigators responsible for determining evidentiary significance and for 

initiating chain-of-custody

Note takers (scribes) responsible for documenting the timing, sequence, personnel 

involved, and location of search and recovery activities

Photographers, responsible for documenting the evidence, scene, and scene activities 

Mapping technicians responsible for documenting the precise location of evidence, via the 

most precise means available and applicable (GPS, total station, and other technology)

Specialists responsible for specific activities unique to the incident (e.g. aircraft accident 

investigators, hazmat technicians)

Transport specialists responsible for packaging and moving of human remains or other 

evidence from the scene

6.5.2.3 Search and Recovery Primary Activities/Workflow

The following is a list of general activities to be completed, in approximate workflow sequence from 

discovery through documentation and removal from the scene.

Systematic and thorough searching for evidence within a given recovery unit 

Detailed notation of the condition of human remains when found

Notation of the 3-dimensional location and position of evidence as precisely as possible 

through the use of sophisticated mapping instrumentation

Photographic documentation of evidence in situ, with scale and north arrow 

Initiate chain-of-custody

Placement of evidence into proper receptacles with appropriate field documentation and 

with minimal further alteration or damage of evidence

Transportation of evidence to designated areas

6.5.2.4 Search and Recovery Teams

Search and recovery teams should be comprised of sub-teams conducting very specific duties in an 

ordered sequence during the search and recovery operation. The members of each sub-team will be 

specially trained and/or experienced with respect to their specific duties, such as photography or 

total station operation. In the event that multiple specially trained personnel are not available, each 

team should be managed by a subject matter expert (e.g., forensic anthropologist, death
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investigator). Individual teams work at their own pace appropriate to characteristics unique to the 

recovery unit, such as terrain, density of evidence, etc.

Table 1 provides a matrix of the types of teams that may be required depending on the nature of the 

incident.

6.6 Pre-Search and Recovery Briefing

The search and recovery teams should be briefed on the specific operational objectives (e.g., search 

100 percent of the disaster scene to locate human remains, personal effects, and evidence). Team 

members should be provided with instructions on their specific tasks and how they will interface 

with the other investigative components. They should also be briefed on use of equipment, 

documentation, health and safety, and reporting structure/chain of command.

6.7 Scene Search and Recovery Procedures

6.7.1 Search Procedure

Searchers should walk the scene in straight lines with spacing between searchers that are 

appropriate to scene conditions, but results in overlapping fields of vision of thesurface.

Searchers should limit alteration of evidence during search phase by leaving evidence 

untouched and in situ.

Searchers should mark significant evidence (or clusters of commingled evidence) with pin 

flags in predetermined positions next to evidence (e.g., place flag on northeast corner 

of

evidence).

Searchers should monitor progress through corridor or section of scene (eventually noting 

area searched on map of disaster scene).

6.7.2 Investigative Procedure

Medicolegal investigations should be performed in accordance with regular death 

investigator protocols to describe and document remains and associated evidence.

Evidence should be photographed and mapped prior to disturbance (see Photography 

Procedure, section 5.7.5, and Mapping Procedure, section 5.7.4, respectively).

Unique tracking or field specimen number should be assigned and the remains tagged:

o All anatomically-connected human biological tissue should receive the same 

tracking or field specimen number.

o Isolated fragments not anatomically-connected should receive a separate tracking 

or field specimen number.

o Dense concentrations of highly fragmented tissue should receive one tracking or 

field specimen number.

o In most situations, medicolegal personnel will be responsible for documenting 

individual and isolated personal effects items. In other situations, other agencies 

will be in charge of documenting this evidence.

Transportation of processed evidence/remains should be coordinated.

6.7.3 Excavation Procedure

When condensed and concentrated evidence and debris is located, excavation procedures 

should utilize forensic archaeological methods to expose, document, and recover significant 

evidence.

Dense concentrations of highly fragmented remains should be excavated as a feature, and 

assigned one field specimen number.
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Excavation activities, progress, and findings should be documented in detail via 

written notes.

Human remains and other evidence should be exposed such that no portion is 

entrapped and the items can be picked directly off of the debris pile.

Residual soil or other debris should be screened to maximize the recovery of evidence. 

Subsequent documentation (e.g., mapping, photography) of processed 

evidence/remains should be coordinated.

6.7.4 Mapping 

Procedure

General protocols for regular crime scene mapping/surveying should be followed.

An initial scene survey noting boundaries or other significant items related to the 

scene should be recorded.

Individual evidence or clusters of commingled evidence should be recorded as precisely as 

possible (usually with total station or GPS unit).

The following elements should be included on the map of the scene:

o Case number or unique identifier for the scene

o Name and contact information for the technician that produced the map

o Direction of either magnetic or true north

o Scale

o Legend/key

6.7.5 Photography 

Procedure

General protocols for regular crime scene photography should be followed. 

Evidence should be photographed with appropriate scale, north arrow, and 

tracking/field specimen number.

6.7.6 Evidence Collection and Transport Procedure

Collect and remove evidence in proper receptacles to minimize any further damage 

or alteration.

Proper labeling should be maintained by affixing a duplicate tracking/field 

specimen number on the outside of the container with the remains before it is closed and 

transported

to the intake station.

Remove evidence from the scene to the Intake Station, or RCP.

6.7.7 Intake

Procedure

Log in all collected evidence that is brought to the Intake Station or RCP.

Provide quality assurance and control measures to identify and correct errors of omission 

(no numbers on bags), or duplication of numbers.

6.8 Perform Final SceneEvaluation

Multiple, systematic passes through the recovery scene may be necessary. Search and recovery 

efforts should continue until no further human remains can be detected. Statistical measures 

of coverage are currently available and may be useful to suggest whether 100 percent of the disaster 

scene has been searched, and whether close to 100 percent of the evidence has been located, 

documented, and collected.

6.9 Post-Search and RecoveryBriefing
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After completing the disaster scene search and recovery operation, a meeting should be scheduled 

with all agencies involved to review and critique whether objectives have been met, anything 

missed, etc., before the scene is released.

6.10 Unacceptable 

Practices

All of the following practices are considered “unacceptable” in the context of disaster victim search

and recovery 

operations:

Responding to a disaster scene without a systematic or comprehensive search and 

recovery protocol for human remains and directly-associated personal effects.

Beginning search and recovery operations on scene without verifying which law 

enforcement and medicolegal agency has legal jurisdiction for that location.

Failing to define, secure, and maintain the integrity of the maximum boundaries of 

the recovery scene throughout the medicolegal investigation.

Employing disorganized, random search, survey, detection, and/or collection procedures. 

Making no attempt to map the recovery scene (and most importantly the 

evidence distribution across the scene); or using inappropriate and/or nonstandardized mapping

methods and techniques.

Failing to supplement mapping data with at least one other additional form of scene 

documentation (written notation, video, photography, sketches, etc.).

Moving, altering, or collecting items of evidence before adequate documentation has taken 

place (i.e., before mapping, photographs, video, written notes, sketches, or any other form 

of

documentation).

Employing destructive search and recovery techniques, including heavy machinery to 

extricate biological tissue from condensed debris piles, unless appropriate for exceptional 

safety concerns or other justifiable reasons.

Intentional disassociation of in situ presumptive identifiers from a victim’s remains at the 

recovery scene (e.g., a wallet with a driver’s license in a jacket pocket, an engraved piece of 

jewelry still on the body, etc.).

The random grouping (or random separation) of human remains, personal effects, or other 

probative evidence.

Failing to label, number, or otherwise track human remains and directlyassociated personal effects during scene processing and evidence collection activities. 

Use of unnecessarily complex numbering systems or duplication of numbers.

Attempting to sort and/or re-associate fragmented and commingled human remains at the 

recovery scene (or anywhere other than the disaster morgue).

Conduct search and recovery efforts without implementing a Health and Safety Plan.
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Investigative Team

7

Tables

Table 1 – Search and Recovery 

Teams

Team Type Primary Role

Search Team Locate and flag human remains or other evidence at the scene 

Identify and describe human remains and personal effects 

Assign unique identifier

Excavation Team Apply archaeological methods to recover evidence

Mapping Team Survey the location of evidence or cluster of commingled evidence 

Photography Team Photograph evidence and scene activities

Transport Team Package evidence and transport to collection points or thedisaster 

morgue

Intake Team Receives evidence at designated locations
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Annex A (informative)

Foundational Principles

Disaster victim identification (DVI) refers to the component of fatality management of a mass 

fatality incident that involves the scientific identification of human remains.

The purpose of SWGDVI is to advance the scientific basis for disaster victim identification by 

assembling professionals from the DVI community in a collaborative effort to exchange ideas 

regarding scientific analysis methods, protocols, training, and research related to DVI. The SWGDVI 

will develop, disseminate, and advance consensus guidelines and best practices, studies, and other 

recommendations and/or findings for DVI, with an emphasis on quality assurance and quality 

control processes and methods. The SWGDVI shall also encourage and evaluate research and/or 

innovative technology related to DVI.

DVI practitioners are encouraged to develop, implement, exercise, and review their mass fatality 

incident response operating procedures in light of these guidelines and best practices, and to 

update their procedures as needed. It is anticipated that these guidelines will evolve as future 

technologies emerge, and will expire five years from the adoption date.
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Annex B

(informative)

Quality Assurance and Control

Exacting methods in victim search and recovery operations require a well-documented quality 

system to mitigate the accidental loss, commingling, and/or damage of human remains, personal 

effects, and other probative evidence. An effective quality system will achieve the following three 

objectives:

1. Monitor all victim search and recovery operations on scene;

2. Identify errors, determine their root cause, and make appropriate corrections; and

3. Document all such quality issues encountered and the corrective actions taken.

A. Quality Manual

The quality system should be documented in a manual for easy reference, as quality assurance and 

control encompasses all aspects of scene operations and scene data management. All of the 

following elements should be addressed within the quality manual, including clear guidance 

and procedures, and a means for documenting quality processes:

Scene integrity and security checks.

Standardized method for checking data capture and use of equipment, instruments, forms, 

and other data recording platforms.

Standardized method for periodic checks of human remains and personal effects 

accountability on scene.

Mapping equipment used and appropriate instrument performance checks.

o An optimal number of routine performance checks should be identified (e.g., one 

check at the start and close of every work day on scene, and one at midday). At a 

minimum, sensitive measuring equipment and instruments should be performance 

checked daily, after set-up and leveling, and immediately after any accidental 

disruption or damage (e.g., a drop from a height, exposure to excessive heat or cold, 

dense humidity, or a prolonged submersion in water, etc.).

Mapping technician performance checks (i.e., measuring the technician’s ability to take

accurate and precise data points with the equipment and/or instrument).

o An optimal number of routine performance checks should be identified (e.g., one 

check at the start and close of the work day on scene). As new technicians assume 

mapping operations, they should also be performance checked, prior to recording 

data.

Redundant checks for accuracy of scene data collection (e.g., mapping points/provenience 

taken properly; photographs with a scale and directional arrow included; victim recording 

forms filled out correctly; handwritten notes clearly attributed to the author; etc.).

Redundant checks to cross-reference tracking numbers with data, human remains, personal 

effects, and other probative evidence collected (this includes barcodes, labels, tags, or other 

means used to affix tracking numbers to human remains and non-biological evidence; 

all maps, photographs, videos, victim recording forms, handwritten notes, and catalogs; and 

all chain-of-custody documentation).

Clearly defined and documented measures of scene coverage and processing effectiveness to 

support final decisions about how far out, deep, or high up to search and recover, and 

when to stop operations and close/release the scene.

A means of establishing and maintaining effective scene-to-morgue communications.

This continual feedback loop can address potential problems, as they arise, with 

evidence
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handling and preservation techniques on scene; the numbering system strategy being 

employed; taphonomic challenges; and issues related to accidental field damage, 

contamination, and/or commingling of human remains.

A record of proficiency testing for any personnel conducting specialized tasks on behalf of 

the jurisdiction during victim search and recovery operations (e.g., mapping, photography, 

human remains documentation, and/or scene data management).

B. Quality Challenges

There are a number of quality challenges that consistently appear and require immediate attention 

during mass fatality scene operations. The quality system should—at a minimum—have 

procedures in place to deal with these more commonly-encountered problems:

Handwritten notes transcription, rather than direct data entry at the time of collection. 

Non-standardized data recording and collection forms (thus no data 

interoperability between the scene and the disaster morgue).

Incorrect tracking numbers entered into mapping instruments, photographic logs, 

victim recording forms, and/or chain-of-custody documentation.

Barcoding, labeling, tagging, or other means of affixing evidence tracking numbers to human 

remains is not uniform or consistent (i.e., with all data formatted the same way every time).

Non-water resistant barcodes, labels, tags, or other means of affixing evidence tracking 

numbers to human remains (i.e., non-permanent ink used).

Mislabeled evidence containers, or containers with human remains from multiple tracking 

numbers inside.

No evidence container inventory protocol used at the intake station/staging area.

No evidence container verification protocol used when the containers leave the scene 

for the disaster morgue.

Use of untrained personnel (or personnel with “just-in-time” training) for specialized tasks 

(e.g., mapping, photography, human remains documentation, and/or scene data 

management).