Collection of DNA from victims starts today

MANILA, Philippines - Experts will start today collecting DNA samples and undertake other procedures that will help identify the bodies found in areas ravaged by Super Typhoon Yolanda, the Department of Health (DOH) said.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona said several teams, composed of forensic experts and photographers, would start the identification procedure of Yolanda victims using a quick system based on international standards on disaster victim identification (DVI).

Ona said each team would be able to handle 40 dead bodies a day even as he stressed that final identification of the casualties will take some time.

“We are appealing for patience and understanding because the procedure of identification will take a while,” Ona said.

He said photos, identifying marks and belongings, and appropriate samples for possible DNA testing will be collected as practical as can be.

Public viewing will not be allowed during the identification procedure, but Ona said relatives would be asked to participate in the final identification at an appointed time.

After the identification procedure, the bodies would be temporarily buried according to prevailing protocol that will allow future investigation if necessary.

In many typhoon-ravaged areas, many bodies are yet to be retrieved. Even those retrieved remained unidentified and unburied, triggering fears of disease outbreak.

Ona, however, explained dead bodies do not necessarily cause epidemics since most infectious germs do not survive beyond 48 hours.

He said those handling corpses should wear gloves and must wash their hands afterwards as a precautionary measure.

Ona said the Philippine Red Cross will support the teams by providing psychosocial support for them.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) has sent a medico-legal team to help identify the bodies through forensics.

But Wilfredo Tierra, the officer in charge of the Medico Legal Division of the NBI, said they deferred the deployment of the 15-man team, citing concerns over power and transportation in the affected areas.

He said the team – which will be composed of doctors and medical personnel – might fly to Tacloban during the weekend. 

Earlier this week, the NBI has already sent a team to Tacloban to conduct an initial assessment of the place.

The NBI wanted to know the extent of the damage and an estimated figure of how many people died in the incident.

The NBI is eyeing a temporary mass burial for the victims, who will be placed in separate bags, before they start the identification process. – With Aie Balagtas See