Positional Statement: Radiology Disaster Victim identification Reporting forms

Since the first application of radiology to Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) during the investigation of the SS Noronic ship disaster in 1949 [1] radiology has played an increasingly important role in DVI, particularly with the increasing utilisation of post mortem computed tomography (PMCT). There are now instances in DVI investigations where PMCT has been used as the substantial or even sole form of pathological body examination, i.e. replacing invasive (autopsy) examination. It is critical that the relevant radiological findings are conveyed accurately to those investigating the deaths irrespective of the radiological modality used. The communication of the findings will usually take the form of two separate reports. The first should be the completion of the newly introduced INTERPOL DVI Radiology Examination Record Form, either in paper or electronic format, to record the findings of the initial radiology examination. This report will inform the DVI investigation. In order to inform the pathological examination, a second detailed radiological report of the remains can be produced, either at the same time or later, (this will be incident and practitioner dependent) using an appropriate whole-body or partial remains reporting form or similar.