Unit Objectives

1
Unit Objectives

• Identify sites within their jurisdictions that
  are suitable for use as an incident morgue.
• Describe the work station requirements for an
  incident morgue.
• Describe additional morgue requirements.
• Determine when temporary morgues are required and
  how many might be required.
• Determine the personnel qualifications required
  to conduct morgue operations.

2
Incident Morgue Requirements

• Convenient to the scene, but in a secure location
• Adequate size to comfortably accommodate morgue
  personnel, supplies, and equipment
• Infrastructure for communications, lighting,
  HVAC, restrooms, water, drainage, and other
  support for morgue personnel
• Easily accessible

3
Additional Morgue Requirements

• Security and storage for personal effects
• Removed from public view
• Nonporous or disposable flooring
• Office space
• Tractor trailer/forklift accessible

Typical size is 8,000-10,000 square feet.
4
Additional Morgue Requirements

• Rest and debriefing areas
• Refreshment/lunch area

5
Morgue Personnel Requirements

• Remains handlers
• Trackers
• Pathologists
• Anthropologists
• Dentists
• Records librarians
• Radiography technicians
• Photographers

6
Morgue Personnel Requirements

• Personal effects technicians
• DNA technicians
• Fingerprint experts
• Supply clerk
• Security personnel
• Morgue safety personnel
• Morgue medical personnel

7
Morgue Organization
8
Refrigerated Truck Requirements

• Rule of Thumb
• 1 refrigerated truck for 20-25 sets of remains
•  

9
Morgue Stations

• Triage of remains
• Admitting of remains
• Photography
• Personal effects
• Postmortem examination
• Radiography

10
Morgue Stations

• Forensic pathological examination
• DNA collection
• Dental examination
• Forensic anthropology examination
• Fingerprint examination

11
Morgue Stations

• Autopsy
• DNA Collection
• Dental

12
Unit Summary

• Establish a morgue organization with clear lines
  of authority within the Operations Section.
• Locate temporary morgues near the incident site
  and within close proximity to each other but out
  of the hazard area and out of the line of sight
  of the incident and the FAC.
• Organize the morgue for efficient processing.