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DMORT personnel work both in the collection and disposition of remains, and also with families of victims to obtain medical and other records or materials that may be needed for identification. The New York situation is the largest event that has ever used the DMORT system. Previous large-scale DMORT deployments include the Egypt Air plane crash near New York and the Alaska Air crash near Los Angeles.

What DMORT resources were called into action in response to the terrorist attacks in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Somerset County, Pa.?

A total of 236 DMORT personnel were mobilized following the Sept. 11 attacks. Ultimately, four teams (with 201 members) were deployed to New York City, and another team (35 members) was deployed to the airplane crash site in Somerset County, Pa. Mortuary operations in connection with the attack on the Pentagon were handled by the military. Two portable morgue units were also deployed: one to LaGuardia Airport Hangar 7, and one to Pennsylvania (with eight additional logistics personnel).

How are the DMORT personnel being used?

DMORT personnel report to the authorities which request their assistance, and they are used by those authorities as needed.

In New York, DMORT personnel were assigned by the city's medical examiner to help staff the portable morgue unit at LaGuardia Airport, to provide services at the medical examiner's headquarters, and to work with victims' families at the Family Assistance Center.

In Pennsylvania, DMORT personnel were used at the request of the Federal Bureau of Investigation to assist in victim identification as part of the investigation of the plane crash.

What expertise is represented on the DMORTs?

DMORT members are composed of funeral directors, medical examiners, coroners, pathologists, forensic odontologists, dental assistants, medical records technicians and transcribers, finger print specialists, forensic anthropologists, X-ray technicians, mental health specialists, computer professionals, administrative support staff, and security and investigative personnel.

What duties are the DMORT personnel carrying out in New York?

In morgue units, DMORT personnel perform needed identification tests and preparation of remains.

DMORT members with specialized training in family assistance carry out interviews with families of victims. During these interviews, family assistance personnel receive information about the victim, including location of medical records or other needed materials. That information is registered into an Information Resource (IR). Once remains are recovered on the site, that information is also inputted into the IR. The IR confirms a temporary identification. After the temporary identification is made a DMORT member makes a positive identification. Then the family is notified.

How can victim identification be made?

Experts recover all remains possible, from a full body to the smallest piece. When a body is severely damaged, DMORT members can use dental and X-ray records; personal effects (clothing); physical anomalies (skeletal, others); identifying characteristics (facial hair, tattoos, scars, etc.); DNA; and fingerprints.

What qualifications are DMORT members required to have?

DMORT members are required to maintain appropriate certifications and licensure within their discipline. When members are activated, licensure and certification is recognized by all States.

Are DMORT members paid?

They are paid as temporary employees of the federal government once they have been activated. In most circumstances, DMORT members take unpaid leave or vacation time from their regular employer for these emergency duties.

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Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and and other press materials are available at www.hhs.gov/news.