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Commingled human remains are encountered in situations ranging from prehistoric ossuaries to recent mass fatality incidents. Commingled Human Remains: Methods in Recovery, Analysis, and Identification brings together tools from diverse sources within the forensic science community to offer a set of comprehensive approaches to resolving issues associated with commingled remains. This edition focuses on forensic situations, although some examples from prehistoric contexts are also addressed. Commingling of bones and other body parts is a major obstacle to individual identification that must be addressed before other forensic determinations or research can proceed. Regardless of the cause for the commingling (transportation disaster, terrorist attack, natural disaster, genocide, etc.) it is critical that the proper experts are involved and that the proper techniques are employed to achieve the greatest success in making identifications. Resolution of commingling nearly always requires consideration of multiple lines of evidence that cross the disciplinary lines of modern forensic science. The use of archaeology, DNA, and forensic anthropology are several areas that are critical in this process and these are core topics presented in Commingled Human Remains. Even a relatively "simple mass fatality event can become very complicated once body fragmentation and commingling occur. Expectations associated with all phases of the process from recovery of remains to their final identification and release to next of kin must be managed appropriately.
Preface
About the Editors
About the Contributors
Chapter 1. Commingling Analysis: Historical and Methodological Perspectives
Separation of Bone and Tooth from Other Materials
Chapter 2. Spatial Analysis of Mass Grave Mapping Data to Assist in the Reassociation of Disarticulated and Commingled Human Remains
Introduction
Materials and Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
Chapter 3. Recovery Methods for Cremated Commingled Remains: Analysis and Interpretation of Small Fragments Using a Bioarchaeological Approach
Introduction
Documentation
Analyses
Interpretation
Summary
Concluding Remarks
Chapter 4. More Pieces of the Puzzle: F.B.I. Evidence Response Team Approaches to Scenes with Commingled Evidence
Introduction
FBI Evidence Response Team Operational Guidelines and Responsibilities
The 12-Step Approach to Crime Scene Processing
Commingling within Cold Case Exhumations
Conclusions
Chapter 5. The Use of Radiology in Mass Fatality Events
History
Imaging Modalities
Radiation Protection
Application of Radiographic Methods to Mass Fatalities
Conventional Approach
Mass Fatality Investigation Using MDCT
Case Studies
Conclusion
Chapter 6. A Practical Method for Detecting Commingled Remains Using Epiphyseal Union
Background Information
Foundations for Understanding Epiphyseal Union Sequencing
Designing a Recording Form
Two Examples Demonstrating Use of the Recording Form
Testing the Method
Discussion
Appendix 6-1
Antenna Diagram
Appendix 6-2
Epiphyseal Recording Sheet for Maturational Sequence Analysis
Chapter 7. Application of Portable X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) for Sorting Commingled Human Remains
Introduction
X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry
Use of XRF on Human Skeletal Remains
Materials and Methods
Results
Discussion and Conclusion
Chapter 8. Osteometric Sorting
Data Sources and Analytical Methods
Models for Osteometric Sorting
Assessment of Results
Conclusion
Appendix 8-1
Chapter 9. Estimating the Number of Individuals Represented by Commingled Human Remains: A Critical Evaluation of Methods
Introduction
Factors Affecting Quantification: Bone Preservation and Scale of the Incident
Quantification Techniques
Test for the Accuracy of Visual Pair Matching
Test Application of the MNI and MLNI: Larson Village
Alternative Methods for Estimating the Number of Individuals
Some Comments on Counting Pairs of Bones
Final Considerations
Chapter 10. Assessment of Commingled Human Remains Using a GIS-Based and Osteological Landmark Approach
Introduction
Issues of Fragmentary and Commingled Human Remains
Walker–Noe (15Gd56)
Walker–Noe Skeletal Analysis
Landmark Analysis
GIS Analysis
GIS Results and Discussion
Comparison of Landmark and GIS Analyses
Conclusion
Chapter 11. Human Cremation: Commingling and Questioned Identity
Introduction
The Inevitability of Commingling in Cremation
Factors That May Lead to Excessive Commingling
How Commingling Is Detected
The Biological Remains
Personal Identification in Cremains Analysis
How Commingling Becomes a Legal Issue
How Is Commingling Described to a Jury?
Case Study
Conclusion
Chapter 12. Marrying Anthropology and DNA: Essential for Solving Complex Commingling Problems in Cases of Extreme Fragmentation
Introduction
Part I: Overview of WTC Identification Process
Part II: WTC Case Examples
Conclusion
Chapter 13. Prioritized Sampling of Bone and Teeth for DNA Analysis in Commingled Cases
Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
Protocols
Specific Recommendations
After Sampling
Conclusion
Appendices
Chapter 14. A Multidisciplinary Approach to Commingled Remains Analysis: Anthropology, Genetics, and Background Information
Forensic Anthropology and the Investigation of Human Rights Violations
Types of Scenarios
Background Information
Multidisciplinary Approach in Commingled Remains
Anthropological Reassociation of Remains and Sampling for Genetic Analysis
Illustrating with Some of the Investigated Cases
Lessons Learned and Recommendations
And Now What? Future Challenges
Chapter 15. Blast and Crash Incidents: Resolving Commingling at the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System
Overview of the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System
Combat Considerations
AFMES Autopsy Protocols
AFMES Dissociated Remains Protocols
Total Fragmentation of the Decedent
Subsequent Recovery of Remains and Final Disposition
Examples of Commingling Resolution at the AFMES
Summary and Conclusions
Chapter 16. Forensic Investigation of Suicidal Bombings in Israel: Balancing Religious Considerations with Medicolegal Responsibilities
Introduction
Religious Beliefs Concerning Postmortem Examinations in Israel
History of Forensic Medicine in Israel
Suicidal Bombing
Resilience
Chapter 17. Anthropologist-Directed Triage: Three Distinct Mass Fatality Events Involving Fragmentation and Commingling of Human Remains
Introduction
Triage
The Three Disasters
The World Trade Center Disaster
The Crash of American Airlines Flight 587
The Staten Island Ferry Crash
Conclusion
Chapter 18. Recovery and Identification of Victims of the Colgan Air Flight 3407 Crash
Introduction
The Incident
Recovery and Documentation of Human Remains at Crash Site
Morgue Operations
Findings of the NTSB Investigation
Retrospective on Incident Response
Chapter 19. The Korea 208: A Large-Scale Commingling Case of American Remains from the Korean War
Introduction: JPAC and the CIL
Background: The Korean War and K208
K208 Analysis: Segregation, Consolidation, and Identification
K208 Case Studies
Challenges
Conclusions
Chapter 20. Data Management and Commingled Remains
Introduction
MFI Data
Identification Errors at an MFI
DNA Testing on Degraded Remains
Partial DNA Profiles
Summary of Identification Errors at an MFI
Summary of AM Intake Dynamics
Challenges in the AM Interview Process
Error Rates in the AM Records
Error Rates in the PM Records
Addressing the Problems
Conclusion
Chapter 21. Resolving Commingling Issues During the Medicolegal Investigation of Mass Fatality Incidents
Identification
Fragmentation, Reassociation, and Identification: Influencing Parameters
Managing the Identification Process: Applying Human Remains Triage Principles
Establishing Human Remains Triage Guidelines
Human Remains Tracking Systems
Group Remains Classification
The Probative Index System
DNA Sampling Guidelines
Triage Station Staffing, Quality Assurance, and Control
Mass Fatality Morgue Operations
Case Study: United Airlines Flight 93
Family Assistance Considerations
Additional Considerations: Policy, Ethics, and Family Expectations
Conclusions
Chapter 22. Mass Fatality Management and the Effects of Commingling
Introduction
Overview of Mass Fatality Incidents in the U.S. from 2000 to 2013
Planning Considerations
Lessons Learned
Chapter 23. The Social Complexities of Commingled Remains
The Scientific Quandaries of Commingled Remains: Intent and Uncertainty
Srebrenica’s Secondary Mass Graves
Commingling’s Effect on Religious Ritual: Srebrenica’s Collective Cemetery
Reassociation and Decisions to Bury
Re-exhumations at Potocari
Conclusion: Commingling of the Dead and Living
Index
Dr. Bradley Adams' expertise is in the field of Forensic Anthropology. He is currently the Director of the Forensic Anthropology Unit for the Office of Chief Medical Examiner in New York City. Dr. Adams and his team are responsible for all forensic anthropology casework in the five boroughs of New York City (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island). Dr. Adams and his team are also integral players in the ongoing recovery and identification work related to the September 11, 2001 attacks of the World Trade Center. Prior to accepting the position in New York, Dr. Adams was a Forensic Anthropologist and Laboratory Manager at the Central Identification Laboratory (CIL) in Hawaii from 1997-2004. The CIL is responsible for recovering missing U.S. military personnel from remote locations across the globe and its staff utilizes forensic anthropology as a key component in the identification efforts. While with the CIL, Dr. Adams directed large-scale recovery operations in such locations as Vietnam, Cambodia, North Korea, and Papua New Guinea. Dr. Adams has served as an expert witness in Forensic Anthropology in multiple court cases, he has worked as the project osteologist on several archaeological excavations, he has authored/edited several books, and he has published numerous articles in peer-reviewed journals on topics relating primarily to forensic anthropology. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Anthropology, a Fellow with the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, a founding board member of the Scientific Working Group for Forensic Anthropology, and a member of the Editorial Board of the Journal of Forensic Sciences.
Dr. John E. Byrd earned his doctorate from the University of Tennessee in 1994. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Forensic Anthropology and serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Forensic Sciences. He has been Laboratory Director at the Central Identification Laboratory, Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command since 2009.
