254 Forensic dentistry
records stay with the proper individual and that all sections sign off on the
activity done at each station.
The flow of the morgue also requires the movement of victims from the
storage area to the morgue facility.^5 This storage area needs to be cooled
and monitored to ensure proper preservation. Multiple refrigeration trucks
are normally used for the purpose. This allows for flexibility with changing
numbers of victims. It also allows the storage team more choices in where to
position their facility for the easiest and most secure transport of the uniden-
tified bodies to and from the morgue. Computerized databases are now com-
monly used to document each truck’s contents, maintenance records, fueling,
temperatures, and release records.
The final release of the identified victim to family members is the main
function of the MFI morgue. The entity in charge of the morgue will usu-
ally verify identification and release with the issuance of a death certificate.
The quality control of this process is extremely important. Once released,
all evidence is compromised. There must be a very explicit protocol for
the release to be allowed. Normally the section or sections responsible
for the identification will be called either at a release station or back to the
morgue to verify the remains being released are in fact that of the indi-
vidual they associated to the case. After the final check of the identification
is complete the remains may be released to the family’s representative from
the funeral home they have chosen. Mistakes at this level could compro-
mise the overall operation and destroy confidence of families in the system
on site. A thousand accurate positive identifications cannot undo the harm
and anguish of one misidentification!
Another protocol that is important to an MFI is the release of informa-
tion to the public and media. It has been found through many past experi-
ences that only one person should be designated as the information control
officer. This person reports directly to the medical examiner or MFI director
and releases only that which is approved. The best advice for any other
person involved with the operation is to not make comments to anyone. This
prevents any ambiguity from occurring. It has also been suggested that the
information office give reports to family members before releasing any infor-
mation to the media. This procedure takes families into consideration and
prevents the possibility of close family members hearing sensitive material in
the media before they hear it from official sources. It also prevents acciden-
tally erroneous information from reaching their ears. The media has been
known to make mistakes.
The final point that is important to any identification section of an MFI
is an exit plan. All personnel need to be aware that the operation will be
completed or reach an endpoint at some time in the future. All too often this
is not addressed and workers are left with the empty and desolate feeling of
no longer being needed. Education of the workforce about expectations of