Identification of ferry victims begins (1 p.m.)
CEBU CITY — A FORENSIC expert said certain procedures should be followed to identify bodies of passengers of the MV Princess of the Stars that sank at the height of Typhoon Frank (Fengshen) last Saturday.
Racquel Fortun, a forensic-pathologist from University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital said on a television interview that once the bodies are retrieved there has to be a system in documenting information: where it (body) was found, how it was when found, what it was wearing, among other information.
She also said over ABS-CBN News Channel that there has to be a system in how to examine the remains of the victims as different local government units need to handle bodies that are washed ashore in their localities.
Fortun stressed on the need to carefully document and retrieve remains at the sunken ship or anywhere else.
She said it is a good decision to bring all bodies to Cebu for examination.
She however said, she does not think it is a good idea to bring all relatives to Cebu for them to identify their loved ones as this will be a futile exercise.
“People recognition is the least reliable means of identifying bodies,” she said.
She explained this is because of biases and other emotional factors. They may however give information on personal effects like: jewelry, clothing, etc. But these can be provided through photographs or text description.
Fortun suggested that bodies found be photographed to be shown to relatives wherever they may be. It can be aired over TV as well instead of bringing people to Cebu.
She said the best means of identifying the dead bodies are the following:
* Get the fingerprints - even those that are bloated can still be finger-printed as fingers with peeled skin still has patterns on them. To get the prints, each finger will be pressed to the carbon paper. The person getting the prints should be wearing gloves.
* Get their X-rays
* Get their DNA
Having to do a DNA on all bodies however will prove to be too costly. She said this can be done as a last resort to those bodies that cannot be identified by other means.
Fortun said there is a need to document quickly as bodies will disintegrate fast. Facts like pierced earlobes, jewelry worn, clothing size, its color, brand, etc. will be most helpful.
Distinguishing characteristics like moles and birthmarks can also be given by relatives without them going to Cebu. (Sunnex)
DNA is the best way to identify, let sulpicio lines company shoulder the fees.and of course dead bodies should be bring back home to their love ones.
Mrs Furton please
don’t short cut your work do the best and the right thing.DNA is the best not X-rays.
we just pray and hope that this tragic accident will not happen again..
DNA is the best method to identify decomposing bodies so please do not waste time to do it.Victims are the loser not you, so don’t count your millions act now.
The families and relatives have the right to see personally and identify their love ones. Flashing the photographed pictures of the corpse on TV is horrible!! Mrs. Furton and co., where’s your Code of Ethics? You only think of the money involved, what about the bereaved families who lost their love ones??? Sulpicio Lines has to shoulder the expenses in making those comprehensive tests like DNA etc. Also, they have to shoulder the expenses of the families in going to Cebu including the expenses of their stay there, accomodation, food, transportation, etc.The corpses has to be placed in a refrigerated place to curtail the decaying process, this will enable the families to see their love ones to identify them properly. Precious lives have been stolen from them, give them the chance to bury their love ones in a worthy, Catholic and ethical way.
Bodies were carried to Cebu since the bodies were already decomposed and releasing foul odor we cant dont see pictures posted of those bodies. We’re trying to help our relatice whose still in Manila waiting for other development there in Manila while we can supposedly check those bodies here in Cebu but we’re also working. We can’t give up our work, we’ve lost our loveones but it doesnt mean we have to stop the world turning day by day to sit on there and wait for nothing although we are also hoping they still alive. For God sake if they are dead we also want to give them a nice burial