ABSTRACT
The identification of disaster victims is the formal, organized process of identifying multiple bodies after an incident with multiple victims. The appropriate management of these incidents, particularly of the bodies, is one of the most crucial aspects of disaster response and its importance has led to the evolution of the concept of Disaster Victim Management. The aim of this study is to report how the process of identifying the 12 mortal victims of a railway accident in June 2010 in Castelldefels (Barcelona) was managed. The methodology used complied with the National Protocol for medical forensic and scientific police response to mass casualty incidents. The family assistance center also served as an ante mortem (AM) office. Despite the fragmentation of the bodies, all the victims were identified satisfactorily. The main problems observed during the management of the disaster were due to the state of the bodies, which raised many doubts as to the number of fatalities. The experience prompted a proposal to establish some recommendations on limiting the number of fragments to be analyzed genetically. We would like to stress the importance of setting up a Data Integration Center which brought together all the participating institutions, and collected and supervised all the different identification reports in a single comprehensive text addressed to the competent legal authority.
Subject(s)
Accidents , Disaster Victims , Forensic Anthropology/methods , Mass Casualty Incidents , Railroads , Adolescent , Adult , DNA Fingerprinting , Female , Humans , Male , Spain , Young AdultABSTRACT
Introducción. Los casos de adopciones irregulares y sustracción de recién nacidos en España han tenido una gran repercusión social, lo que ha conllevado la elaboración de reformas normativas y el desarrollo de guías y recomendaciones científicas que ayuden a su investigación. El objetivo del presente estudio fue la identificación genética de las muestras remitidas mediante estudios de parentesco. Material y métodos. Entre 2011-2014 se recibieron en el Departamento de Barcelona del Instituto Nacional de Toxicología y Ciencias Forenses 58 casos sobre los que se requirió judicialmente un estudio de identificación genética. Se analizaron restos óseos exhumados o muestras clínicas. Tras el estudio previo (antropológico y anatomopatológico) se procedió a la extracción del material genético y su posterior análisis. Resultados. La calidad y cantidad del ADN recuperado permitió el análisis genético en el 67,2% de los casos, frente al 32,8% donde no fue posible. Los datos muestran que mayoritariamente (87,2%) se estableció una relación de compatibilidad paterno-filial, siendo minoritarias las exclusiones (12,8%). El índice de verosimilitud osciló entre 1,75 × 104-5,95 × 1017 y los STR estudiados de 8-21. Conclusiones. Los datos y experiencia adquirida muestran la importancia de la recopilación de la información, de los antecedentes del caso y del estudio antropológico previamente al análisis genético. Esta información permite orientar los estudios genéticos y, ocasionalmente, ayuda a interpretar los resultados. Asimismo, las características de este tipo de muestras obligan a establecer un protocolo de calidad que garantice la autenticidad de los resultados finales (AU)
Introduction. Cases of irregular adoptions and abduction of newborns in Spain have had got a great social impact which has led to regulatory reforms and the implementation of scientific guidelines and recommendations to help their investigation. The objective of the study was the genetic identification of the samples submitted by kinship studies. Materials and methods. In the period between the year 2011 and 2014, the Barcelona Department of the National Institute of Toxicology and Forensic Sciences,received a total of 58 cases on which it was judicially required to carry out a study of genetic identification. Exhumed bones or clinical samples were analyzed. After previous study (anthropological, anatomo-pathological), the extraction of genetic material and its subsequent analysis were carried out. Results. The quality and the quantity of recovered DNA allowed carrying out genetic analysis in 67.2% of cases, compared to 32.8%, where it was not possible. The data show that for the majority ofthe cases studied (87.2%) was established a positive relationship, being minority the cases of exclusion (12.8%). The likelihood ratio (LR) obtained, ranged from 1.75 × 104-5.95 × 1017, and the STR markers studied from 8 to 21. Conclusions. Experience and data show the importance of gathering information, the history related to the caseand the importance of the anthropological study prior to genetic analysis. This information allows orienting the genetic studies and, in some cases, it helps to interpret the results. Also, the characteristics of this type of samples require establishing a quality protocol that ensures the authenticity of the final results (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Infant, Newborn , Adoption/legislation & jurisprudence , Forensic Genetics/legislation & jurisprudence , Forensic Genetics/methods , Forensic Genetics/trends , Forensic Medicine/legislation & jurisprudence , Forensic Anthropology/legislation & jurisprudence , Forensic Anthropology/methods , Forensic Genetics/instrumentation , Forensic Genetics/organization & administration , Forensic Genetics/standards , Forensic Sciences/legislation & jurisprudence , Forensic Sciences/organization & administration , Forensic Sciences/standards , DNA/analysis , Paternity , Exhumation/legislation & jurisprudenceABSTRACT
Para los estudios químico-toxicológicos post mortem la obtención de muestras adecuadas y representativas es un requerimiento esencial considerado como la actividad preanalítica más importante ya que el resultado analítico nunca será mejor que la muestra de la que deriva. Las muestras pueden ser numerosas y variables, y pueden seleccionarse según su disponibilidad, la historia del caso, estudios solicitados y aspectos legales, aunque no todas las muestras son útiles para el análisis de todos los tóxicos. Cada muestra proporciona una información en la que influye la farmacología y toxicología del compuesto, la vía de administración y cantidad tomada, así como los fenómenos que se producen después de la muerte. La interpretación de resultados obtenidos sigue constituyendo el reto más importante para el toxicólogo forense. Este artículo revisa las cuestiones a tener en cuenta para la selección de las muestras y su utilidad en los casos en que se requieren análisis químico-toxicológicos post mortem (AU)
For post-mortem toxicological studies, the collection of suitable and representative samples is an essential requirement, and it is considered the most important pre-analytic activity because an analytical result will never be better than the sample from which it is derived. Specimens available in postmortem toxicological investigations can be numerous and variable, and may be selected based on their availability, case history, requests and legal aspects; however, not every sample is useful for analyzing all toxics. Each sample provides different information where the pharmacology and toxicology, the route of administration and the amount taken, as well as processes occurring after death are all aspects that have an influence depending on the drug in question. The interpretation of those results remains the most important challenge for the forensic toxicologist. This article reviews particular issues associated with the selection and the usefulness of samples when postmortem toxicological studies are required (AU)