1Asst Professor, Department of Anthropology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
2Research Scholar, Department of Anthropology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India
*Corresponding author. E-mail address: jagminder@pu.ac.in, jagmindera@yahoo.com
Online published on 12 March, 2026.
The aftermath of mass disasters presents a chaotic scene where the immediate identification of victims becomes a critical concern. Traditional methods of disaster victim identification (DVI) often confront numerous challenges, particularly when the remains are heavily fragmented, burned, or in a highly decomposed state. This review underscores the significant role of forensic radiology in the DVI process, offering a comprehensive examination of its applications, advancements, limitations and future prospects. By integrating multiple studies and real-case applications, this review elucidates how forensic radiology has become instrumental in expediting accurate identifications, thereby aiding legal processes and providing closure to affected families.
Disaster victim identification (DVI), Radiological modalities, Identity establishment, Virtual autopsy, Forensic