Kit, human remains management - black bags

General information

The procedures for handling and recovering dead bodies are outlined in Management of Dead Bodies after Disasters: A Field Manual for First Responders; please refer to this publication for detailed information.

Four key points to remember in times of crisis and emergency which will dictate your equipment requirements:

Collect:

• Collect the bodies and bring them to a body-holding area for storage. Where this is not possible, consider temporary on-site burial, and ensure precise mapping and records of the burial, as well as the grave’s contents, are recorded. Separate body parts should be treated as individual bodies.

Protect:

• Bodies should be stored individually in body bags. Where unavailable, use plastic sheets, bed sheets or other suitable material to protect and ensure the dignity of the remains. Refrigerated storage is best. Where unavailable, consider temporary burial (refer to above). Personal belongings (including documents) should not be separated from the remains. To avoid loss, store them inside the corresponding body-bag or container using assigned, unique body number.

Record (at a minimum):

• Unique body number

• Brought by (name, organization)

• From (exact place)

• Date

• Place where the body is stored or buried. If buried, include map.

• Situation permitting, taking pictures of the deceased is strongly recommended to facilitate later identification.

Track:

• Each body and corresponding body bag, any related evidence and the burial site should be tagged and marked indelibly with the assigned, unique body number. Ensure that the number will remain visible to allow tracking of the remains, evidence and corresponding information. Ensure chain of custody is recorded (i.e., all movements and transfers of the remains).

Other important points:

• Bodies do not create epidemics. Avoid and prevent hasty disposal (burials or cremations) of the dead.

• Ambulances must not be used to transport human remains – they are more useful for the wounded and sick.

The kits are intended for use in situations which require the recovery of a large number of corpses due to natural or violent death, but not for deaths resulting from viral infectious diseases.

The kit is designed for a 4-person team.

Remember, the colour of the body bags should be choosen bearing in mind local culture.

The equipment and number of items should always be adapted to case-specific needs.