190 likes | 426 Views
Scientific Working Group on Disaster Victim Identification. SWGDVI. Funded by the National Institute of Justice. What is a SWG? . FBI developed concept in early 1990’s
E N D
Scientific Working Group on Disaster Victim Identification SWGDVI Funded by the National Institute of Justice
What is a SWG? • FBI developed concept in early 1990’s • Adams DE, Lothridge KL. Scientific Working Groups. Forensic Science Communications 2000;2(3). www.fbi.gov/hq/lab/fsc/backissu/july2000/swgroups.htm • Created to improve discipline practices in forensic science • Develop mutual agreements between US federal, state, and local forensic community partners
SWG functions • Develop and disseminate best practices • Encourage research areas (gap analysis) • Bring together pertinent organizations and subject matter experts • Foster cooperation with national/international organizations
Current SWGs • Facial Identification (FISWG) • DNA Analysis Methods (SWGDAM) • Analysis of Seized Drugs (SWGDRUG) • Friction Ridge Analysis, Study and Technology (SWGFAST) • Fire and Explosives (SWGFEX) • Imaging Technology (SWGIT) • Materials Analysis (SWGMAT) • Gun Shot Residue (SWGGSR) • Forensic Anthropology (SWGANTH) • Digital Evidence (SWGDE) • Forensic Document Examination (SWGDOC) • Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (SWGSTAIN) • Shoe Print and Tire Tread Evidence (SWGTREAD) • Forensic Toxicology (SWGTOX) • Disaster Victim Identification (SWGDVI) • Firearms and Toolmarks (SWGGUN) • Dog and Orthogonal Detector Guidelines (SWGDOG) • Medicolegal Death Investigation (SWGMDI) • Wildlife Forensics (SWGWILD)
SWGDVI Objectives • Assemble organizations and individuals actively involved with DVI to exchange ideas regarding scientific analysis methods, protocols, training, and research related to DVI. • Discuss, develop, disseminate, and advance consensus guidelines and best practices, studies, and other recommendations and/or findings for DVI. • Generate and disseminate guidelines, best practices, and recommendations for quality assurance and quality control. • Encourage and evaluate research and/or innovative technology related to DVI.
Standards, Guidelines, Best Practices SWGDVI is not a regulatory body, no enforcement authority. • Standards: Are enforceable established rules or requirements. Standards are considered minimal--what you have to do. • Guidelines: A community norm. These are what you should do. Deviations should be justified. In order to be effective, community must agree to them. • Best Practices: Best practices are the things you could do if you had all the resources and support available – aspirational goals.
SWGDVI Board • 30 members representing a broad spectrum of DVI expertise • US federal, state, and local jurisdictions • International organizations • Academia • Agencies/institutions named as Permanent Members • Permanent members appoint individuals to represent the agency • Ensures agency involvement throughout SWG process • Individual Members serve based on individual qualifications
SWGDVI Board • Permanent Members • Federal Bureau of Investigation (4) • National Transportation Safety Board (2) • Department of Health & Human Services (1) • Department of Defense • Armed Forces Medical Examiner System (1) • Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory (1) • National Association of Medical Examiners (1) • International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners (1) • Interpol DVI Steering Group (2) • International Commission on Missing Persons (1) • International Committee of the Red Cross (1)
SWGDVI Board • Individual Members (15) • Robert Barsley, DDS, JD; LSU School of Dentistry • Dennis Dirkmaat, PhD; Mercyhurst Archaeological Institute • Lyle Konigsberg, PhD; University of Illinois • Dennis McGowan ; University of Tennessee • Yvonne Milewski, MD; Office of the Medical Examiner, Suffolk County • Gary W. Reinecke, Boston University • David Senn, DDS; University of Texas Health Science Center • Victor Weedn, MD, JD; Maryland Office of Chief Medical Examiner • Jason Wiersema, PhD ; Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences • 6 positions vacant
Why is it essential for the SWGDVI Board to maintain permanent international representation? • 16 aviation accidents (1996 – 2009) • 20 – 265 victims • 3-33 nationalities • 4 US domestic • Avg. 4/flight • 12 international • Avg. 11/flight
SWGDVI Committees • Committees are formed to examine targeted issues • Two SWGDVI Board members serve as co-Presiding Officers for each committee • Committees are populated by US and international Advisory Members • Participate in drafting guidelines, best practices, and other products
SWGDVI Committees ADMINISTRATIVE • Membership FUNCTIONAL • DVI Management • Search and Recovery • Pathology • Anthropology • Odontology • Friction Ridge Analysis • Molecular Biology/DNA • Data Management • DVI Reconciliation and Quality Assurance • Victim Information Center/Family Assistance Center • Ethics
DVI Community Input • Committee Advisory Members • 5-10 per committee • Open forum review/discussion of draft documents • Release on website for public comment - 60 day period • Committee discusses comments & revises • Board discussion & majority vote • Public invited to submit comments and propose changes at any time • Website feedback forum • Sunsetting after 5 years • Open sessions at annual meetings (AAFS, NAME…)
Is SWGDVI re-creating work already accomplished? • Assemble DVI community • International perspective • Interagency perspective • Scientific perspective • Solicit input throughout product development • Deliberative process • Collate existing SOPs and guidelines, evaluate, synthesize • Develop guidelines, & best practices • Gap analysis
Is SWGDVI meeting its objectives? • Assemble members of DVI community to exchange ideas • Biannual SWGDVI Board meetings • Bimonthly SWGDVI web-conferences • DVI Reconciliation and Quality Assurance Committee • October 2010, Washington DC • NYC –OCME/Interpol • February 2011, New York City • AAFS Annual Meeting (2011) • NTSB International Family Assistance Symposium • NAME Meeting (2011) • AAFS Annual Meeting (2012)
Future Perspectives on DVI • US local/state/regional teams and mutual support networks • Training, funding, mobile morgues • Increased attention of US Federal government • Standardization, systems interoperability • Education & training • Interagency coordination • Full-time positions (FBI, NTSB, DHHS)
Success depends on our willingness to foster a collaborative environment within the DVI community.