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Review: Identifying and tracking disaster
victims: state-of-the-art technology review
D. AlHuwail, Mobile Medical Computing Scholar

Summary — This article reviews the latest identification and
tracking technologies for Mass Casualty Incidents (MCIs)
communication - specifically for expediting the processes for
identifying, locating, and caring for victims. No technology was
recommended per se since the article aimed to raise awareness of
the technologies that have potential to improve MCI
communication. Further research is needed for emergency
"systems that work seamlessly to identify, geolocate, and
communicate time-critical information to rescue workers and
family members."
Keywords — MCI, Identification, Geolocation, Emergency,
Communication
I. RESEARCH DESIGN/METHODOLOGY
TYPE: Review of electronic publications examining
technologies for disaster victim identification and tracking.
VALIDITY: Only a few publications reviewed were
research-based studies that reported on tests of simulated
disaster or emergency situations. Non-research sources were
included, such as newspapers, presentations, television
transcripts, and technical reports.
II. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA AND SEARCH METHODOLOGY
Electronic databases were searched for relevant articles. The
databases included MEDLINE, CINAHL, SOC INDEX,
PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Cochrane Trails and
Reviews. Both existing and evolving technologies were
included in the literature review process. Only English
language publications that had the keywords “technology” and
“identification systems” or “tracking systems” were included.
Technologies used for tracking equipment were not included.
Sixty-two publications were selected. All publications selected
were categorized by type of technology type and then
publication format.
Non-research resources were also reviewed for the latest,
cutting-edge technologies. Such sources included newspapers,
presentations and technical reports. No grey literature was
included.
D. AlHuwail is a software engineer with the Information Systems
Department at the Ministry of Health in Kuwait and an IEEE member.
(d.alhuwail@moh.gov.kw).
III. ANALYSIS
Qualitative analysis with abstraction for comparative
analysis.
IV. ASSESSMENT OF METHODOLOGICAL QUALITY
The author excluded commercial tracking/identification
technologies that limited their analyses and findings. Non-
research sources may introduce bias if they serve to market a
technology. Additionally, the author acknowledges a shortage
in research-based literature addressing specific technologies.
V. RESEARCH QUESTION
What are the latest identification and tracking technologies
that could potentially improve Mass Casualty Incidents (MCIs)
communication to expedite the process of identifying, locating,
and caring for victims?
VI. TECHNOLOGIES REVIEWED
 Barcodes
 Biometrics
 Forensic odontology
 Geographical information systems (GIS)
 Global positioning systems (GPS)
 Personal digital assistants (PDAs)
 Radio frequency identification (RFID)
 Robotics
 Smart cards
 Wireless communication devices
 Wireless Internet
VII. OUTCOME
HIGHLIGHTS: The lack of a system for evacuating pets
(i.e., household animals) is a leading cause of emergency
evacuation failure. Coupling wireless and geospatial
technologies in MCI digital systems may have the greatest
impact.
IMPLICATIONS: Integrating the reviewed technologies
into MCI operations shows potential to ease and streamline the
process of identifying/tracking victims, providing safe medical
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care and shelter, and reuniting victims with their loved ones.

GENERALIZABILITY: There is insufficient information

regarding cost, feasibility, and sustainability of such
technologies during non-disaster moments. This calls for
further critical evaluation.

VIII. FURTHER AREAS FOR RESEARCH

Future research could review social networking technologies
like Twitter for systems design.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT
D. AlHuwail thanks Dr. Mohammad Al-Ubaydli and Jeffery
Loo for their support and effort.

CITATION

AlHuwail D. 2009 Sep. Review of: Identifying and tracking disaster

victims: state-of-the-art technology review. Mobile medical computing
reviews. [Online].

REFERENCES
[1] Pate, BL., Identifying and tracking disaster victims: state-of-the-art
technology review. Fam Community Health. 2008 Jan-Mar;31(1):23-34.

D.AlHuwail is a software engineer at the Information Systems Department at

the Ministry of Health in Kuwait. Mr. AlHuwail earned his Bachelors of
Science of Science in Management Information Systems (with Honors),
Entrepreneurship (with Honors), and Operations Management from the
University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA in 2006. Mr. AlHuwail also
earned his Masters of Science (with Honors) in Management Information
Systems - concentration on Biomedical and Health Informatics - from the
University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA in 2007.

Mr. AlHuwail is a member of IEEE, Kuwait Health Initiative, and Kuwait

Information Technology Society (membership pending).