Management of Dead Bodies After Disasters: A Field Manual for First Responders

This manual has two aims: first, to promote the proper and dignified management of dead bodies and, second, to facilitate their identification. Following many disasters, and certainly larger ones, the retrieval and immediate management of dead bodies is done by local authorities, organizations and communities, residents and volunteers. This is because forensic experts may not arrive for some days, or even longer; and in some contexts, there are no forensic experts at all. Consequently, this manual focuses on practical recom- mendations for those who are on the spot or are able to respond in the immediate aftermath of a disaster – i.e. first responders.