The
broke of a tailings dam from Vale S.A. destroyed a gigantic area killing 270
persons in Brumadinho/Brazil. Organizing activities after a mass disaster is a
complex process that requires the involvement of many people and resources in
the laboratory. To DNA identification of the victims, a daunting work had to be
made by DNA laboratory staff in a collaborative effort with many partners.
Efforts to implement good practice guidelines in Disaster Victim Identification
(DVI) have revealed several important aspects that need to change in the
forensic DNA laboratory. This article highlights the challenges of implementing
DVI best practice guidelines in resource-poor settings, but with professionals
from different sectors engaged in the same goal of briefly identifying victims
and helping families and society.
References
[1]
Santos, C.A., Pellegrini, I.S., Moreira, R.S. and Caligiorne, S.M. (2021) Description of the Disasters in Mariana and Brumadinho from the Perspective of Criminal Expertise: A Systematic Review. Brazilian Journal of Forensic Sciences, Medical Law and Bioethics, 10, 350-375. https://doi.org/10.17063/bjfs10(3)y2021350-375
[2]
Marrone, M., Tarantino, F., Stellacci, A., Baldassarra, S.L., Cazzato, G., Vinci, F. and Dell’Erba, A. (2022) Forensic Analysis and Identification Processes in Mass Disasters: Explosion of Gun Powder in the Fireworks Factory. Molecules, 27, Article 244. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27010244
[3]
Souza, M.A., Urtiaga, G.O., Ferreira, R.C.G., Silva, L.M., Umbelino, J.K.G., Melo, F.R. and Jesus, S. (2022) Friction Ridge Analysis in Disaster Victim Identification (DVI): Brazilian Case Studies. Forensic Sciences Research, 7, 323-329. https://doi.org/10.1080/20961790.2021.1882745
[4]
INTERPOL (2018) International Criminal Police Organization. Disaster Victim Identification Guide. INTERPOL, Lion, France. https://www.interpol.int/content/download/621/file/FS-02_2018-03_EN_DVI.pdf
[5]
Hartman, D., Drummer, O., Eckhoff, C., Scheffer, J.W. and Stringer, P. (2011) The Contribution of DNA to the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) Effort. Forensic Science International, 205, 52-58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.09.024
[6]
Prinz, M., Carracedo, A., Mayr, W.R., Morling, N., Parsons, T.J., Sajantila, A., Scheithauer, R., Schmitter, H. and Schneider, P.M. (2007) DNA Commission of the International Society for Forensic Genetics (ISFG): Recommendations Regarding the Role of Forensic Genetics for Disaster Victim Identification (DVI). Forensic Science International: Genetics, 1, 3-12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsigen.2006.10.003
[7]
Rotta, L.H.S., Alcantara, E., Park, E., Negri, R.G., Lind, Y.N., Bernardo, N., Mendes, T.S.G.S. and Souza Filho, C.R. (2020) The 2019 Brumadinho Tailings Dam Collapse: Possible Cause and Impacts of the Worst Human and Environmental Disaster in Brazil. International Journal of Applied Earth Observation and Geoinformation, 90, 102119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jag.2020.102119
[8]
Aguiar, V.R.C., de Castro, A.M., Almeida, V.C.O., Malta, F.S.V., Ferreira, A.C.S. and Louro, I.D. (2014) New CODIS Core Loci Allele Frequencies for 96,400 Brazilian Individuals. Forensic Science International: Genetics, 13, E6-E12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsigen.2014.04.015
[9]
Alonso, A., Martín, P., Albarrán, C., García, P., Simón, L.F., Iturralde, M.J., Fernández-Rodríguez, A., Atienza, I., Capilla, J., García-Hirschfeld, J., Martínez, P., Vallejo, G., García, O., García, E., Real, P., álvarez, D., León, A. and Sancho, M. (2005) Challenges of DNA Profiling in Mass Disaster Investigations. Croatian Medical Journal, 46, 540-548.
[10]
Montelius, K. and Lindblom, B. (2012) DNA Analysis in Disaster Victim Identification. Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology, 8, 140-147. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-011-9276-z
[11]
Budowle, B., Bieber, F.R. and Eisenberg, A.J. (2005) Forensic Aspects of Mass Disasters: Strategic Considerations for DNA-Based Human Identification. Legal Medicine, 7, 230-243. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.legalmed.2005.01.001
[12]
Iwamura, E.S.M., Soares-Vieira, J.A. and Munoz, D.R. (2004) Identification and Analysis of DNA in Bones. Revista do Hospital das Clínicas Faculdade de Medicina de Sao Paulo, 59, 383-388. https://doi.org/10.1590/S0041-87812004000600012
[13]
Moysés, C.B., Tsutsumida, W.M., Raimann, P.E., da Motta, C.H.A.S., Nogueira, T.L.S., Dos Santos, O.C.L., Figueiredo, B.B.P., Mishima, T.F., Candido, I.M., Godinho, N.M.O., Beltrami, L.S., Lopes, R.K., Guidolin, A.F., Mantovani, A., Santos, S.M., Souza, C.A. and Gusmao, L. (2017) Population Data of the 21 Autosomal STRs Included in the GlobalFiler® Kits in Population Samples from Five Brazilian Regions. Forensic Science International: Genetics, 26, E28-E30. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsigen.2016.10.017
[14]
Manhart, J., Bittorf, A. and Büttner, A. (2012) Disaster Victim Identification—Experiences of the ‘‘Autobahn’’ Disaster. Forensic Science Medicine and Pathology, 8, 118-124. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-011-9307-9
[15]
45 barragens preocupam órgaos fiscalizadores, aponta Relatório de Seguranca de Barragens elaborado pela ANA. https://www.gov.br/ana/pt-br/assuntos/noticias-e-eventos/noticias/45-barragens-preocupam-orgaos-fiscalizadores-aponta-relatorio-de-seguranca-de-barragens-elaborado-pela-ana
[16]
Lee, J., Scott, P., Carroll, D., Eckhoff, C., Harbison, S., Ientile, V., Goetz, R., Scheffer, J.W., Stringer, P. and Turbett G. (2008) Recommendations for DNA Laboratories Supporting Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) Operations Australian and New Zealand Consensus on ISFG Recommendations. Forensic Science International: Genetics, 3, 54-56. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsigen.2008.09.001
[17]
Ferreira, S.T.G., Kuser, H.H., Garrido, R.G., Trindade-Filho, A., Paula, K.A., Galvao, M.F. and Moraes A.V. (2011) Floods and Mudslides in the State of Rio de Janeiro and a Plane Crash in the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest: A Study of Two Different Experiences in Disaster Victim Identification (DVI). Forensic Science International: Genetics, 3, E516-E517. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsigss.2011.10.005
