Helping families find closure in the of worst times
After a mass casualty event, communities and families need to find closure. Members of the Victim Information Center (VIC) Team support local authorities and other NDMS teams in the aftermath of a mass casualty event. VIC team members collect ante-mortem data, such as pictures, fingerprints, dental x-rays, and other medical records, to help identify the victims. They also serve as a liaison to the victims’ families in the wake of the disaster or emergency.
VIC members provide technical assistance and consultation on the collection of management of ante-mortem data and related issues. The VIC may be called on to perform a wide range of functions, such as:
- collecting dental records, medical records, DNA, and other ante-mortem data
- providing subject matter expertise in mass fatalities management and victim information procurement
- training partners to appropriately gather the information required for victim identification from the family interview process
- coordinating with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies by gathering ante-mortem data to facilitate victim identification and manage the missing persons list
- updating the Victim Identification Program (VIP) database
- coordinating the release of remains