Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) following mass fatality events is critical in bringing closure to the victims' family members and their loved ones. However, post-disaster environments are typically unfavourable and pose difficulties for the execution of DVI procedures. Delays in collecting, transporting, and processing the samples may cause DNA to degrade, adversely impacting the identification process. Therefore, this study aimed to demonstrate the co-utilisation of RapidHIT ID (RHID) and DJI Matrice 300 (M300) for onsite DNA analysis using buccal swab samples. 40 samples (two replicates) were collected from 20 "victims" and another 40 (two replicates) from 20 corresponding "relatives". The first replicates were processed using RHID (n = 40) and the second replicates were analysed via conventional technologies (n = 40). This paper observed the genotyping success rate, kinship matching, concordance, comparing different sample collectors, storage interval, and time taken for both procedures. Results of this study showed that RHID could generate DNA profiles for all the samples (n = 40) with 90% of them showing full profiles, and managed to process samples that have been stored for up to six months. The drone-assisted procedure exhibits less time to obtain and analyse the samples but can still produce DNA profiles concordant with the conventional method (p > 0.05). In conclusion, RHID is sufficient to generate interpretable DNA profiles in harsh environments, and transporting samples by M300 drone can reduce the exposure time to process more quality DNA for DVI.
An apartment complex collapsed in Malaysia killing 48 people trapped inside.The dental disaster victim identification team comprising of officers from the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital, Armed Forces and the Dental
Faculty, University of Malaya played a very active role in the identification process. Most of the bodies were badly decomposed and some grossly disfigured. Problems were encountered due to inadequate facilities and
equipments at the mortuary.Difficulties were also encountered during the procurement and deciphering of information from dental records. Suggestions have been made to improve facilities, expertise and also to create awareness amongst dentists to ensure proper recording of their patients' dental status.
Disaster is a sudden event that associated with ecological changes, disruption of normal daily activities, destruction of infrastructures, loss of properties, and medical disabilities. In disaster, there is a mismatch between available resources and patients need for healthcare service. During flood disaster, the victims were predisposed to different type of illnesses for various reasons such as inadequate supply of clean water, poor sanitation or drainage system, unhealthy foods, and over-crowded relief centers. Mobile clinic is an option for delivering medical care for the disaster victims who often have a difficulty to access to the medical facilities. In this article we would like to share our experiences during the provision of humanitarian services for flood victims at District of Muar Johor. Common illnesses among the flood victims at visited relief centers and advantages of Mobile Medical Relief Team were also highlighted and discussed.