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The “Scandinavian Star” ferry disaster 1990 -a challenge to forensic odontology

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Summary

With 158 victims, the fire on board the “Scandinavian Star” was one of the world's worst ferry disasters. A team of identification experts, including dentists, were employed to secure evidence for identification and to remove the victims from the ferry. Four parallel teams, each with 2 dentists, examined and autopsied the victims at the Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Oslo. Using the INTERPOL Disaster Victim Identification forms and aided by computers, all victims were identified within 17 days. Dental identity could be established in 107 cases (68%).

Zusammenfassung

Mit 158 Opfern war das Feuer an Bord der “Scandinavian Star” eines der schlimmsten Fährenunglücke in der Welt. Ein Team von Identifizierungsexperten inklusive zweier Zahnärzte arbeitete auf dem Schiff, um die Leichen zu bergen. Vier Teams, jedes mit zwei Zahnärzten besetzt, untersuchten und obduzierten die Leichen am Rechtsmedizinischen Institut, Universität Oslo. Mit Hilfe des Interpol-MassenunglücksSchemas und unterstützt von Computern hat die Norwegische Identifizierungskommission die Identität von allen Opfern innerhalb von 17 Tagen festgestellt. Die zahnärztliche Identität konnte in 107 Fällen festgestellt werden (68%).

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Solheim, T., Lorentsen, M., Sundnes, P.K. et al. The “Scandinavian Star” ferry disaster 1990 -a challenge to forensic odontology. Int J Leg Med 104, 339–345 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01369554

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