ABSTRACT
A mass fatality incident is defined as an occurrence of multiple deaths that overwhelms the usual routine capability of the agency.
Initial Evaluation
1. An evaluation team consisting of the medical examiner, the chief investigator, and one on-duty investigator will be equipped with cellular phones. The following will be evaluated:
A. Number of fatalities involved B. Condition of the bodies (e.g., burned, dismembered) C. Difficulty anticipated in the recovery of the bodies D. The personnel and equipment required for the operation (e.g., fire search and
rescue, heavy equipment) E. The accessibility of the scene to transport vehicles and the difficulties that
may be encountered in transporting bodies from the scene F. The presence of chemical, radiological, biological, or other environmental
hazards 2. Identify the personnel possibly needed to staff the morgue for identification, body
examination, evidence collection, and other procedures. 3. Anticipate the type of facility that would be most useful as a Family Assistance
Center (FAC). If the victims live in the local area, their families may also be local and housing would not be a critical issue. If the victims are predominantly not local, the need for housing the families of victims would have to be anticipated.
