Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Management of unidentified and unclaimed bodies: a comparison of model from four countries in the Asia Pacific Region

  • Original Article
  • Published:
Forensic Science, Medicine and Pathology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Managing mass fatality incidents or disasters involving multiple deaths are not uncommon among forensic practitioners. In fact, management of unidentified or unknown bodies is also a vital component of the day-to-day mortuary work practice. The unidentified and subsequently unclaimed bodies have always been a “silent mass disaster,” a problem that needs to be tackled within the forensic community and raises the global issue of ethics, law, and human rights. Unidentified bodies’ in Malaysia make up an average of 4.02% of all death cases where a total postmortem examination was performed which is comparable with other developing countries within 4–10% which can go up to 25%. Moreover, unstandardized procedures in all mortuaries in different states and districts in Malaysia have worsened the scenario even with guidelines in place. This study aims to address the issues surrounding unidentified and unclaimed bodies including body disposal from a social and legal perspective using case study methodology by comparing four different countries in the Asia Pacific Region through document analysis and interview methods. One of the major findings is evident in 3 out of the 4 models, whereby there is a considerable gap in consolidating the missing person report and information to match with the unidentified bodies received in forensic institutions in an attempt to enhance the identification process which ultimately intends as a closure for the family members. It is also timely to think out of the box beyond dental records and DNA profiling to improve the identification rate for skeletonized remains through means of anthropology biometrics comparison. With the limited literature published surrounding this domain, it is hoped that the suggestions and recommendations to standardize the management of unidentified and unclaimed bodies can benefit many forensic institutions and public mortuaries in this region.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Data availability

Data on the unknown and unclaimed in the IPFN are available as well as the guidelines. However, these data are not for public sharing. In case there is any query in future, readers can always contact the corresponding author for further clarification.

References

  1. IFMT. Management of unidentified and unclaimed bodies: a practical guideline. Inst Forensic Med Toxicol, Colombo, Sri Lanka. 2021.

  2. Gitanjali D. Retrospective analysis of the profile of unknown dead bodies - a four-year study in a tertiary care hospital in North Tamilnadu, India. J Dent Med Sci. 2018;4(13):15–22.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Reid KM, Martin LJ, Heathfield LJ. Bodies without names: a retrospective review of unidentified decedents at Salt River Mortuary, Cape Town, South Africa, 2010–2017. S Afr Med J. 2020;110(3):223–8.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Quinet K, Nunn S, Ballew A. Who are the unclaimed dead? J Forensic Sci. 2015;61(S1):S131–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Yadav M. Dealing with unclaimed dead bodies: an issue of ethics, law and human rights. J Indian Acad Forensic Med. 2007;29(1):21–4.

    Google Scholar 

  6. Chattopadhyay S, Shee B, Sukul B. Unidentified bodies in autopsy – a disaster in disguise. Egypt J Forensic Sci. 2013;3:112–5.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Blau S, Rowbotham KS. Not so simple: understanding the complexities of establishing identity for cases of unidentified human remains in an Australian medico-legal system. Forensic Sci Int. 2022;330.

  8. Uchendu OJ. Unclaimed bodies in government mortuary; causes, problems and possible solutions: a review. Niger Res J Clin Sci. 2018;8(1&2):36–40.

    Google Scholar 

  9. Hanzlick R, Smith G. Identification of the unidentified deceased: turnaround times, methods, and demographics in Fulton County, Georgia. Am J Forensic Med Pathol. 2006;27(1):79–84.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Bardale RV, Dixit PG. Autopsy profile of unidentified bodies: a two year retrospective study. J Forensic Med Sci Law. 2020;29(1):16–9.

    Google Scholar 

  11. Kumar A, Harish D, Chavali KH. Pattern of cause of death in unknown dead bodies – a three year study in a tertiary care hospital. J Indian Acad Forensic Med. 2012;34(4):304–8.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Kumar A, Harish D, Singh A. Cause of death in ‘John Doe & Jane Doe’: a 5 year review. J Clin Diagn Res. 2014;8(8):1–4.

    PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  13. Yadav A, Kumar A, Swain R, Gupta SK. Five-year study of unidentified/unclaimed and unknown deaths brought for medicolegal autopsy at premier hospital in New Delhi, India. Med Sci Law. 2016;0(0):1–6.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Ritter N. Missing persons and unidentified remains: the nation’s silent mass disaster. Natl Inst Justice. 2007;256:1–7.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Ellingham STD, Perich P, Tidball-Binz M. The fate of human remains in a maritime context and feasibility for forensic humanitarian action to assist in their recovery and identification. Forensic Sci Int. 2017;279:229–34.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Srinak N. The study of unclaimed and unidentified bodies management in Thailand and other countries. J Thai Justice Syst. 2020;13(2):139–52.

    Google Scholar 

  17. The Himalayan Times. Guideline to manage unidentified, unclaimed bodies. 22 September 2021. https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/guideline-to-manage-unidentified-unclaimed-bodies. Assessed 15 Dec 2022.

  18. Reid KM, Martin LJ, Heathfield LJ. Understanding the burden of unidentified bodies: a systematic review. Int J Legal Med. 2023;137:1193–202.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  19. IPFN. Disposal of the unclaimed body (Pelupusan Mayat Tidak Dituntut). HKL/FOR/AK-07. The National Institute of Forensic Medicine, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 2022.

  20. INTERPOL. Disaster victim identification DVI guide. 2018.

  21. JPN. Official web portal: National Registration Department, Ministry of Home Affairs, Malaysia. https://www.jpn.gov.my/en/. Access date: 10 Jan 2023.

  22. DG Circular Letter No.5. Guidelines for the released of unclaimed bodies in the Ministry of Health Hospitals to the Faculty of Medicine of local universities for the purpose of medical education or research in medicine. Director General of Health Malaysia, Medical Development Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia. MOH/P/PAK/164.08(GU). 2008.

  23. DG Circular Letter No.17. Guidelines for postmortem examinations of the dead in Ministry of Health Hospitals. Director General of Health Malaysia, Medical Development Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia. MOH/P/PAK/170.08(CL). 2008.

  24. Malaysia Kini. Klang Valley mortuaries packed due to unclaimed bodies - long queue. https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/585223. 2021. Access date: 13 Jan 2023.

  25. Act 130. Human Tissue Act 1974. Laws of Malaysia.

  26. Blau S, Roberts J, Cunha E, Delabarde T, Mundorff AZ, De Boer HH. Re-examining so-called ‘secondary identifiers’ in disaster victim identification (DVI): why and how are they used? Forensic Sci Int. 2023;345.

  27. United Nations website. https://www.un.org/en/global-issues/migration. Access date 30 Jun 2023.

  28. UNHCR (2013) UNHCR Global Appeal 2013 update. Geneva, Switzerland: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

  29. ICRC. Guiding principles/model law on the missing - principles for legislating the situation of persons missing as a result of armed conflict or internal violence: measures to prevent persons from going missing and to protect the rights and interests of the missing and their families. Advis Serv Int Humanit Law. 2019.

  30. Moustakas C. Phenomenological research methods. Sage Publications. 1994.

  31. Merriam SB. Qualitative research and case study applications in education. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass; 1998.

    Google Scholar 

  32. Stake RE. The art of case study research. Sage Publications. 1995.

  33. Hartley J. Case study research. In C. Cassell & G. Symon (Eds.), Essential Guide to Qualitative Methods in Organizational Research (pp. 232–333). London: Sage Publications. 2004.

  34. Saunders M, Lewis P, Thornhill A. Research methods for business students. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited. 2012.

  35. Neuman WL. Social research methods: qualitative and quantitative approaches. Boston: Pearson New International Edition; 2014.

    Google Scholar 

  36. Mattarelli E, Tagliaventi MR. How offshore professionals’ job dissatisfaction can promote further offshoring: organizational outcomes of job crafting. J Manage Stud. 2012;52(5):585–620.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Alvarez JL, Mazza C, Pedersen JS, Svejenova S. Shielding idiosyncrasy from isomorphic pressures: towards optimal distinctiveness in European filmmaking. Organization. 2005;12(6):863–88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Fitzgerald L, Ferlie E, McGivern G, Buchanan D. Distributed leadership patterns and service improvement: evidence and argument from English healthcare. Leadersh Q. 2012;24(1):227–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Kvale S. The qualitative research interview: a phenomenological and a hermeneutical mode of understanding. J Phenomenol Psychol. 1983;14(2):171–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  40. Kvale S. Interviews: An introduction to qualitative research interviewing. Sage Publications Thousand Oaks. 1996.

  41. Rubin HJ, Rubin IS. Qualitative interviewing: the art of heating data. 2nd ed. London: Sage Publication; 2005.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  42. Paker I. Qualitative psychology: introducing radical research. Open University Press. 2005.

  43. RSCM. Penatalaksanaan Jenazah Yang Tidak Dikenal. UPKJ Departemen Forensik dan Medikolegal RSCM (RSUPN DR. CIPTO MANGUNKUSUMO), Indonesia. 2022.

  44. Gatrad AR. Muslim customs surrounding death, bereavement, postmortem examinations, and organ transplants. BMJ. 1994;309:20–7.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. ICRC. The forensic human identification process: an integrated approach. Inte Comm Red Cross. 2022.

  46. Cordner SM, Tidball-Binz M. Humanitarian forensic action – its origins and future. Forensic Sci Int. 2017;279:65–71.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  47. Department of Justice Ireland. Coronial data on unidentified remains is published for the first time. https://www.gov.ie/en/news/3ca34-coronial-data-on-unidentified-remains-is-published-for-the-first-time/ Access date 4 Jul 2023.

  48. The Irish Examiner. Family of limerick man whose body was unidentified for 25 years to sue the state. https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-40971470.html. Access date 4 Jul 2023.

  49. Department of Justice Ireland. Unidentified human remains Excel sheets data: unidentified human remains per Coronial District. https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/ae2ea-unidentified-human-remains/. Access date 4 Jul 2023.

  50. ABC News. Gone and forgotten: Australia’s lost souls. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-06-30/the-lost-souls-of-australia/11195312. Access date 4 Jul 2023.

  51. Bassed R, Leditschke J. Forensic medical lessons learned from the Victorian bushfire disaster: recommendations from the phase 5 debrief. Forensic Sci Int. 2011;205:73–6.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  52. Eitzen D, Zimmermann A. Setting up an off-site emergency mortuary facility (EMF) to deal with a DVI incident: disaster victim management (DVM). Forensic Sci Med Pathol. 2012;8:189–93.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  53. Leditschke J, Collett S, Ellen R. Mortuary operations in the aftermath of the 2009 Victorian bushfires. Forensic Sci Int. 2011;205:8–14.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  54. Cordner SM, Woodford N, Bassed R. Forensic aspects of the 2009 Victorian bushfires disaster. Forensic Sci Int. 2011;205:2–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  55. VIFM. Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine. Who We Are. https://www.vifm.org/. Access date 4 Jul 2023.

  56. APMLA. The Asia Pacific Medico-Legal Agencies official website. https://theapmla.net/. Access date 16 Feb 2023.

  57. Kumar A, Harish D, Singh A, Sunil Kumar GA. Unknown dead bodies: problems and solutions. J Indian Acad Forensic Med. 2014;36(1):76–80.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  58. de Boer HH, Blau S, Delabarde T, Hackman L. The role of forensic anthropology in disaster victim identification (DVI): recent developments and future prospects. Forensic Sci Res. 2019;4:303–15.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Khoo LS, Mahmood MS. Application of facial recognition techonology on identication of the dead during large scale disasters. Forensic Sci Int Synergy. 2020;2:238–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Georgieva K, Kellenberger J. Discussion: what are the future challenges for humanitarian actions? Int Rev Red Cross. 2011;93(884):1–15.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The National Institute of Forensic Medicine (IPFN), Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Ministry of Health Malaysia, would like to thank the Director General of Health Malaysia for the permission to publish this paper. The IPFN greatly acknowledges the member institutions of the Asia Pacific Medico-Legal Agencies (APMLA) network who provide sufficient information regarding the management of the unidentified and unclaimed bodies, specifically the UPKJ Departemen Forensik dan Medikolegal RSCM (RSUPN DR. Cipto Mangunkusumo), Indonesia; Division of Missing and Unidentified Persons System Development; Central Institute of Forensic Science (CIFS), Bangkok, Thailand; and the Institute of Forensic Medicine & Toxicology (IFMT), Colombo, Sri Lanka. Special thanks and gratitude are also extended to all forensic personnel and institutions as well as various governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who have indirectly or directly involved in managing the unknown and unclaimed bodies in most respectful and dignified manner possible.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Institute of Forensic Medicine (IPFN), Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Pahang, 50586, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Lay See Khoo, Poh Soon Lai, Sheue Feng Siew & Mohamad Azaini Ibrahim

Authors
  1. Lay See Khoo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Poh Soon Lai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Sheue Feng Siew
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Mohamad Azaini Ibrahim
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Lay See Khoo.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Khoo, L.S., Lai, P.S., Siew, S.F. et al. Management of unidentified and unclaimed bodies: a comparison of model from four countries in the Asia Pacific Region. Forensic Sci Med Pathol (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-023-00683-6

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12024-023-00683-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation