The Pivotal Role of Forensic Medicine in Disaster Management and Mass Casualty Incidents: Lessons Learned from the Hat Yai Flood Disaster

Information from the abstract

Disaster management is an intricate, multi-layered public health and security challenge that scales exponentially during mass casualty incidents (MCIs). While emergency medical services and clinical teams prioritize the immediate triage, stabilization, and treatment of survivors, forensic medicine is tasked with the systematic management, examination, documentation, and identification of the deceased. This article comprehensively examines the critical, multidisciplinary responsibilities of forensic practitioners in the wake of natural catastrophes and anthropogenic crises. It details the operational execution of Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) protocols, evaluates the role of forensic pathology in determining the cause and mechanism of death, and discusses the evolving paradigm of Humanitarian Forensic Action (HFA). Using the Hat Yai flood disaster in Southern Thailand as a primary case study, this paper critically analyzes the unique logistical adaptations, multidisciplinary coordination, and operational challenges encountered during real-world flooding responses. Furthermore, this paper addresses how contemporary scientific technologies intersect with international human rights law and legal frameworks to restore dignity to victims and provide closure to grieving communities.

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Related topics: Disaster Response and Management · Autopsy Techniques and Outcomes · Disaster Management and Resilience