Journal of Forensic Research

Medico-Legal Death Investigation Systems in the Pacific and Creating a Stronger Pacific Disaster Victim Identification Network

Abstract

James JVP Kalougivaki

Introduction: The Pacific Island Countries (PICs) consist of 20,000 to 30,000 scattered islands spread across 8.5 million square kilometers of Ocean. There are three ethnogeographic distinct sub-groupings in the Pacific and they are Polynesia, Melanesia and Micronesia. The evolution of the global Medico-Legal Death Investigation (MDI) system has produced the Coroner's, Medical examiner's and the newer European Continental systems. However, the PICs maintain post-colonial mixed medico-legal systems. Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) is an important part of the MDI system.
Objective: To review the MDI systems in the PICs and the recommend measures accordingly to strengthen the
network for DVI in the Pacific.
Methods: This is a qualitative research paper focusing on independent self-governing PICs from Polynesia,
Melanesia and Micronesia.
Discussion: The PICs criminal codes, legal systems and post-colonial adaption of MDI systems are emerging.
There are also many developmental limitations for MDI systems in the PICs. Despite the profound historical
evidence of disasters of varying magnitudes, the Pacific MDI and DVI network exists as an informal one through
personal acquaintance. Therefore, this demands a better and effective MDI system in the PICs particularly with
regards to DVI.
Conclusion: The need to fortify and better the DVI network in the Pacific will depend on good regional indicators.
There is a crucial need for the operatives of the MDI system in the PICs to form a link through intergovernmental
participation and association with other Pacific networks to drive the sustained development of the national and
regional MDI system. Through this collaboration the Pacific DVI network could also be established centrally in a PIC
that has a steady Forensic Science Service. Upcoming Forensic experts could operate out of this central location to
serve the PICs accordingly. This eventually will achieve a standard practice and regionalization of the Pacific MDI
network.