A Report of the KE 801 Victim Identification Results Using Conventional Method

Lee, Yong Ho

Abstract

Aircraft accidents are not new occurrences. Most people considered flying to be particularly dangerous in the early days of flight, and fatal aircraft crashes were not surprising Although investigation into the mechanical causes of crashes progressed, it was not until the 1950s that value of medical investigation of aircraft crashes became apparent. The identification process is an essential elements of an adequate investigation. Accurate identification of all fatalities incurred in an aircraft accident is often the first step in determining where each person was located at the time of the disaster and what role they may have played in its cause, Separated into basic elements, the identification process involves (1) the collection of identification information about missing persons, (2) the observation of identifying features of the victims, and (3) the comparison of the two groups of information. Many investigators know about identification techniques, but they have considered them as an isolated process anti have not integrated them into the overall investigation. Typically, physicians, dentists, and other medical personnel are assigned tasks based on a preconceived disaster plan that they had no role in developing to identify the victims of aircraft crash occurred in Guam at 6 August 1997, we performed analysis the data filed from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Office of Chief Medical Examiner, Territory of Guam, U.S.A. and National Institute of Scientific Investigation, Korea (NISI). The total of passengers on boards were 254 including 23 all-crews, Among them, only 25 (22 passengers and 3 air crews) were survived. We obtained that the first identified bodies were 100 remains including hospital dead 7 cases using by conventional methods such as finger prints, medical & dental records, and so on. We also analyzed he victims' seating configuration based on boarding pass and surveyed the process from the identification & notification to releasing the body, funeral services and transportation.