20 March 2010
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Obviously each member country will decide whether or not to use a system of this type, but elimination tables, which are best prepared by the Identification Files Unit, can undoubtedly break down a complicated process into more manageable segments and provide a clear picture of what has been achieved. The Interpol Elimination Table consists of a grid with the names of missing persons in a particular category listed vertically, and 'blocks' of body reference numbers marked at the top of the vertical columns. The result of comparing AM and PM data will be marked in the squares to indicate either 'elimination', 'uncertain' or 'identification'. Each body number and each missing person´s name will eventually have only one square in common, i.e. where data matches, and the body is identified. In order to make the procedure easier it is recommended that the tables be presented in categories of ten missing persons’ names and ten body reference numbers (see Chart No. 1). The ten names should be made up from the categories referred to in Unit 4.5.1.1 of this guide (age, race, sex) to reduce the number of unnecessary comparisons; it would be an obvious waste of effort, for example, to compare the AM details of a 5-year old male with the PM findings of a female estimated to be over 70 years of age. Ideally, names should be listed alphabetically and body numbers numerically, but in practice this will almost certainly be impossible because the forwarding of completed sets of AM and PM documents cannot be delayed merely for this purpose. It can be seen from the specimen tables included in this guide that for each
of the categories there will be blocks of ten AM and ten PM records, with as
many categories and blocks as necessary. Records for each of these blocks must
be kept together. When the first ten sets of AM documents for one of the categories has been received they can be arranged (alphabetically if possible) on the elimination table: the first page of the table should be marked 'Part A' in the left margin. The next ten AM sets pertaining to the same category, when received, are similarly recorded on a second page marked 'Part B'. The same procedure will then continue until the total number of AM sets has been listed. When joined together vertically, the various pages will make one long list. When the first ten sets of PM documents for this category have reached the Identification Files Unit they can be arranged in numerical order, the reference numbers entered on the Elimination Table 'Part A' and the number '1' entered as the block number. This table can then be photocopied and distributed, together with the relevant AM and PM records, to specialist units for completion. Each copy must be marked in the top right corner with the name of the specialist unit to which it was sent. If within this category there are further table pages (B, C, D etc.) they must be endorsed with the same ten reference numbers as Part A (same sequence, same place) and all be marked 'block 1'. When the next ten body reference numbers for this category become available they can again be arranged in numerical order, completed in the same order, with the names of the missing persons in that category, and the page marked with the relevant letter. Tables in the second and subsequent blocks are consecutively numbered '2', '3', '4' etc. - and each block must be attached to a complete set of tables containing missing persons' names marked Part A, B, C etc.. These blocks of ten body numbers will subsequently be joined together to make a larger, wider list. It is important to keep the AM and PM document sets together in their blocks and not allow them to become mixed with other AM documents from the same categories. The separate elimination tables are eventually collated as a single master table upon which the findings of each specialist unit can be seen. Briefly, the purpose of this system is to:
If the elimination table described here is used, the following three markings are the simplest and most effective with which to show results.
An example of a completed table is shown in Figure 2 where the circle (which will be in red on the actual form) shows a positive identification. It should be noted that once such an identification has been made, it is no longer necessary to compare other AM data with the body or PM data with the name, unless some doubt arises in the future. As the overall identification procedure draws to a close, a number of difficult
cases may become more obvious. If PM fingerprints are available for these cases,
but no AM prints, the Identification Fingerprint Unit may be asked to obtain
AM prints from the homes (or workplaces, etc.) of missing persons who, according
to the grouping, are 'possibles'.
Once all the tables have been received from the specialist units, they can be combined into a single 'unit master table' (one for each of the specialist units) as follows.
A large master table can be constructed (see Figure 3) for each specialist
unit and these will then be passed to the Identification Board. The importance
of listing missing persons and body numbers identically on each sheet can now
be appreciated.
The Identification Board will be concerned only with examining the master tables produced by each unit, and each unit chief will be responsible for producing a master table on the basis of the tables filled in by the different groups of his own unit. He should verify that each page bears the name of his unit and that all single sheets making up the master table are from the same group. Only if this process is performed accurately, can incorrect identifications be avoided. Next, unit chiefs should check that there are no double identifications in any of their units' master tables, by seeing whether there are two or more red circles (positive identifications) in any vertical column or horizontal row. If a double identification is found, the AM and PM documents must be re-examined. This is best undertaken in consultation with the experts who carried out the original comparisons. The next step is to turn each dash (uncertain) into a cross (eliminated) in every horizontal and vertical column in which there is a confirmed identification. It is suggested that this is be done in green, to distinguish new crosses from earlier eliminations. Eventually, if each missing person is linked to a body, the table will show only one red circle in each row and column, and crosses in all other squares. Theoretically, if a single dash (i.e. uncertain) remains in any row the body concerned has been identified by elimination if the missing persons list was accurate in terms of total numbers and names. However, the aim should always be to obtain factual evidence of identity in every case. This process will be time-consuming but will culminate in specialist units
all agreeing on the identification of each body. It will also make it possible
to prepare a composite table for each category of victims, since information
will have been supplied by all specialist units in the same order and format.
It is recommended that each square on the composite table be filled in with the findings of each of the five specialist units using the symbols X, O or -. It will be much more manageable if each specialist category enters its finding (symbol) in the same part of each square on each table. For example, fingerprints - top left corner, photography - top right, property - centre, medical - bottom left and dental - bottom right. In this way identification by fingerprints, for example, can be located quickly. Dashes (uncertain) show that one or more specialist units were unable to reach a conclusion. If, however, a square contains both crosses (elimination) and circles (identification) this will highlight a discrepancy that can only be resolved by reconsidering the relevant AM and PM data. In such cases, if the positive identification was based on fingerprints or teeth and dental records it could be accepted as valid, but in all other cases discrepancies must be re-examined. If, for example, twelve categories of victims were established (e.g. by permutations of age, sex and colour) the result will be twelve composite tables showing the agreement reached for each body and missing person. On completion, all composite tables must again be checked for errors that may have occurred in transferring details and, in particular, for any double identifications. The result of this whole operation will be that a number of composite tables (twelve in the above example), containing no inconsistencies, have been created. These can then be used to construct the final identification table.
The squares containing two or more circles, indicating a positive identification by two or more specialist units should be located. Where at least one of those identifications is based on fingerprint, medical and/or dental evidence, it can probably also be deemed correct. It will be apparent that the final identification table does not show individual unit results. No dashes (uncertain) will appear, and crosses (elimination) will only be shown when there is already an accepted identification recorded in that column or row (shown by a circle). At this point, the final identification table represents the 'immediate identifications' that have been obtained from the first round of expert comparisons in all five units. It has been found that an enlarged version of the final identification table can be of considerable help in keeping Identification Centre personnel aware of the current situation at a glance. If provided, it must be regularly updated solely by members of the Identification Board to avoid the risk of incorrect entries liable to cause confusion. It may not be practical to use this enlarged version for evidence purposes.
In preparation for the first reconciliation session the twelve completed composite tables should again be examined and a list should be made of the cases (squares) in which a red circle (identified) appears. The specialist units responsible for these results should be reconvened to consider the appropriate AM and PM documents and ascertain the reliability of each result, bearing in mind that the available data may be all that there is to work with. At the first reconciliation session the Unit Chiefs involved should submit the results of their units' deliberations. The Board will discuss each individual case and decide whether to accept the identification suggested. When identifications are accepted they should be indicated by drawing a large circle in the relevant square on the composite table and endorsing the final identification table and the largescale table accordingly. The Identification Board should then deal with the eliminations as, at this
stage, all the remaining squares on the composite tables will contain only crosses
and dashes. It is suggested that all squares containing two or more crosses
(eliminations) are accepted as such and that a large cross be drawn on the relevant
square. Once again, these eliminations must also be shown on the final identification
table and the largescale table.
In preparing for the second reconciliation session the cases (squares) in which only one elimination mark appears (i.e. one cross and four dashes) should be listed. With the assistance of this list, the specialist units involved should examine the relevant AM and PM documents in detail; once again, that may be the only information available. As stated above, most eliminations will probably originate in the Identification Medical and Dental Units so that it may only be necessary to convene representatives of those two units. The unit chiefs should submit their units' results relating to the single eliminations recorded on their unit tables. The Board will then discuss each individual case and decide whether or not to accept the elimination, in which case the fact must be clearly recorded on the composite table by drawing a large cross in the appropriate square and endorsing the final identification table and the largescale table accordingly. At this point the question of correct body grouping may need to be addressed. The following procedure is recommended. (1) If the total number of bodies recovered equals the number of names on the victim list, first check that all victim categories contain the same number of bodies as victim names. Should this not be the case it is obvious that a mistake or mistakes have been made, possibly in an age category rather than sex or race. There are three possibilities:
(2) If the number of bodies recovered does not equal the number of names on the victim list, this may account for discrepancies in the number of bodies or names in any of the victim categories. This should be kept in mind when the following steps are taken to try to find out where mistakes were made.
A list should be made of all the mistakes found in this way, and representatives of the Identification Medical and Dental Units should be reconvened to examine the relevant sets of AM and PM documents. Since incorrect age grouping is the most probable cause of mistakes, there will only be one other victim category to which the wrongly assigned body can belong: either the older category or the younger one. A 'block X' of elimination tables for that other category should be prepared, complete with heading and all victim names. The data relating to the wrongly assigned body can now be compared with the data on all the missing persons listed by the specialist units; these comparisons have not, in fact, been made before. The results must be notified to the Identification Board for inclusion in the composite table, corrections being made as necessary. If one or more identifications result from these new comparisons, they must be recorded as described earlier, as must the accompanying eliminations, and all the above processes must be repeated as new possibilities may have become apparent.
The Identification Board will now be ready for its final and most difficult reconciliation session. The composite tables as corrected, need to be examined for vertical rows in which all squares but one are crossed. In such cases the corresponding sets of AM and PM data should be scrutinized by the expert panel which will consider identification by exclusion. If this can be undertaken the ensuing results should be marked on the Disaster Victim Identification forms and the final identification table. Similarly the composite tables should be examined for horizontal rows in which all squares but one have been crossed; if any such cases are found, the above process is repeated. By this time the number of 'open' squares in the composite table will have been considerably reduced and it is possible that these last identifications by exclusion will have resulted in the elimination of half the open squares in another row. The process of searching for vertical and horizontal rows with only one open square should therefore be repeated every time a new identification has been made and the accompanying eliminations listed; this is a sort of chain reaction which has to be followed through to the end. Next, vertical and horizontal rows with two open squares must be located. Again, the expert panel should investigate whether in any such case, and knowing that there are only two identity possibilities left, a re-evaluation of AM and PM data could lead to an identification. For such a re-evaluation the expert panel should have all data material available (photographs, X-rays, specimens, laboratory findings, etc.). At this final stage, information about characteristics such as blood type will probably be of decisive importance in reaching a conclusion. If successful, this process again creates a chain reaction which must be followed through to the end. A search for rows and columns with three or more open squares may then have to be conducted. By now, the number of bodies still unidentified will probably be small, and the experts may be very familiar with the data. This is the time to take even the remote possibilities listed below into consideration.
It will be apparent that resolution of the final cases will depend to a great extent on finding additional AM data for comparison with PM findings. This may require further visits to relatives. Given that there will be occasions when it is not possible to identify every body (e.g. when there is no AM data for comparison and no missing person report) the Investigator in Charge will need to decide when to draw the identification procedure to a close. In such cases, all PM data must remain on file for later comparison if required. An alphabetical list of victims and a corresponding numerical list of bodies identified will constitute the record of the result of the whole operation. Those who have experienced the final stages of victim identification will recognize the tedious and tiring processes described here. Only by using a computer programme, or the elimination table and its derivatives (master, composite, final etc.) can the Director of Victim Identification maintain consistent and effective control of these processes. It is a step-by-step operation that will only be successful if a clear and comprehensive overview of results is continually maintained. The formal conclusion of the identification operation will be the issue of an identification document, a death certificate and - for foreign nationals - a body pass, for each identified body.
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