NCJ Number
142370
Journal
Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 40 Issue: 5 Dated: (September/October 1990) Pages: 256-264
Date Published
1990
Length
9 pages
Annotation
During the past 50 years, the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Disaster Squad has identified over 3,500 disaster victims by fingerprints, palm prints, and footprints.
Abstract
The squad has responded to many different types of disasters, including airline crashes, shipwrecks, fires, hurricanes, floods, bus and train accidents, mining accidents, bombings and explosions, hijackings, a mass murder-suicide, and a volcanic eruption. The squad is composed of special agents and highly specialized latent fingerprint identification experts. Worldwide assistance is available if disaster victims are U.S. citizens. The squad's investigative jurisdiction is covered by the Federal Aviation Administration Act of 1958, the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984, and the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Anti-Terrorism Act of 1986. Before the squad becomes involved in a disaster, local jurisdictions must develop a disaster plan that can be quickly and effectively implemented. Squad capabilities and operations are discussed in terms of fingerprint record sources, the disaster site, morgue facilities, special equipment, and media relations. 3 references and 5 figures