Cellmark Forensic Services can provide a unique response to mass fatality incidents with highly experienced in-house forensic archaeologists, anthropologists, and specialist DNA analysis. We can provide:

Examination and recording (including 3D modelling) of complex scenes
Search, recognition, recording and recovery of human remains regardless of the extent of disruption, fragmentation, or alteration
Forensic Anthropological examination of human remains at the mortuary
DNA recovery utilising highly effective methods and specialist knowledge of sample selection
DNA profiling by our experienced specialist DNA team with a proven track record of obtaining profiles from challenging samples
Comparison and reporting of results including familial XX, mt DNA, YSTR
Production of graphics, plans, and 3D models for investigation and court purposes
Expert witness testimony

Mass fatality incidents are often associated with explosions, fire, or high velocity impacts, such as accidents involving aircraft or trains. Victims of these disasters are, therefore, often difficult to identify and human remains may decompose during the complex recovery and identification process, despite best efforts of expeditious examination and appropriate storage. Forensic anthropologists are, therefore, recognised as being essential to the DVI process

Scenes

Assess the extent of disruption and alteration to the remains
Differentiate between human and non-human remains
Determine associations from the spatial distribution of human remains
Accurately record the human remains and their relationship to key items
Contribute to the reconstruction of events
Provide a strategy for the recovery and storage of human remains
Identify key identification opportunities during recovery to assist in prioritisation during mortuary examinations

Mortuary

Identify and separate non-human material
Identify and separate commingled human remains
Reconstruct fragmented remains
Estimate the minimum number of individuals
Provide identifying information (biological profile: sex, age, stature etc)
Identify and interpret traumatic injuries to the skeleton

Reconciliation, Quality Assurance (QA) and Quality Control (QC)

Advise on proposed reconciliation of body parts and fragmented human remains
Produce visual representations of the completeness of individual remains and the level of disruption and injuries