Disaster Victim Identification in the Aftermath of the October 7th, 2023, Massacre: A Focus on Fingerprint Identification

Sarena Wiesner, Israel Police, Forensic Scientist, Jerusalem, Israel

On October 7th, 2023, hundreds of Hamas terrorists launched a brutal invasion of southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of 1,130 civilians and soldiers, and the abduction of 259 hostages. The challenges faced for Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) were immense, as the process unfolded under active fire and included both victims and terrorists among the deceased. The identification efforts were further complicated by the mutilation and burning of bodies, which significantly hindered traditional methods.

In this presentation, we will delve into the complexities of the DVI process in such a harrowing context, with a specific emphasis on fingerprint identification. We will explore the methods employed to rapidly collect ante-mortem data and the techniques used to extract and compare fingerprints from highly decomposed and damaged bodies. The discussion will also address the difficulties of identifying individuals in situations where entire families were missing, and the unique challenges posed by the presence of foreign nationals among the victims.

Our analysis will provide insights into the methodologies, tools, and technologies that proved critical in overcoming these obstacles, ultimately enabling the identification of all victims within a significantly short time frame.