| Treat Incident As |
|
Implication |
| Humanitarian effort |
|
Although it is important to correctly identify a sample, strict chain-of-custody procedures and documentation may not be required. This can simplify and streamline processes—particularly among multiple laboratories—but this scenario may require new sample tracking processes. |
| Civil matter |
|
Most mass fatality incidents have a civil component—i.e., the need to issue death certificates. Chain-of-custody procedures and documentation are required, but they are less stringent than for incidents considered as criminal matters. This scenario may allow simplification/streamlining of the sample handling processes and may (or may not) require new processes. |
| Criminal matter |
|
Some mass fatality incidents (e.g., acts of terrorism) are criminal matters, and therefore, they require rigorous chain-of-custody procedures and documentation. Public forensic DNA laboratories currently have established chain-of-custody systems that can be used. |
DNA Identification in Mass Fatality Incidents
