Forensic uncertainty, fragile remains, and DNA as a panacea: an ethnographic observation of the challenges in twenty‐first‐century Disaster Victim Identification

Easthope, Lucy

Abstract

This is an account of ethnographic research examining the specialist scientific processes known as ‘Disaster Victim Identification’ (DVI) in three settings: Québec, the United States, and the United Kingdom. In cases of multiple deaths, a series of actions accompanied by a plethora of tools are often invoked, housed at a disaster scene, forensic laboratories, a family assistance centre, and a mortuary. In this article, I examine a process dedicated to connecting the biological remains of the deceased with a confirmed validation of personhood. I describe a situation where responders/scientists will attempt multiple testing and re-testing of human remains, often pushing boundaries of available science. I argue that the search for certainty in identification lies at the heart of the activation of DVI processes, particularly when it is connected to DNA testing. Observing intimate forensic settings and the bricolage of the forensic anthropologist's labour has allowed me to track the production of the science of identity. I then reflect on the wider implications of these observations for affected communities and the responding scientists. Finally, I argue that there is complexity and ambivalence surrounding the increased use of technologies when applied to identification of victims.

Citation

Easthope, L. (2023). Forensic uncertainty, fragile remains, and DNA as a panacea: an ethnographic observation of the challenges in twenty‐first‐century Disaster Victim Identification. Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute, 29(S2), 27-49. https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9655.13990

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 29, 2023
• Online Publication Date: Jul 9, 2023
• Publication Date: 2023-09
• Deposit Date: Aug 18, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 18, 2023
• Journal: Journal of the Royal Anthropological Institute
• Print ISSN: 1359-0987
• Electronic ISSN: 1467-9655
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 29
• Issue: S2
• Pages: 27-49
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9655.13990
• Keywords: Arts and Humanities (miscellaneous); Anthropology
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1721444