Faculty Uses Dental Forensics to Help Identify Hurricane Victims

Dr. Harry Zohn

As Puerto Rico struggled without power and electricity in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, it was difficult for medical examiners to identify victims of the disaster.

RSDM's Dr. Harry Zohn, who teaches a course on forensic dentistry, travelled to the island as part of the federal Disaster Mortuary Operation Response Team last month to support efforts to ID the bodies.

After the hurricane, the island lost electricity, which  still has not been entirely restored 10 weeks later. Conditions made it impossible for Puerto Rican medical examiners to do their work. "There were several days of back up on cases for examiners there,'' said Zohn. "We were there to help lighten the workload."

As a dental forensicist, Zohn analyzes dental remains and records for information on the victims of crimes and disasters. In his role as volunteer, he has worked to identify victims of 9/11, Hurricane Katrina and plane crashes involving multiple casualties. In most cases, he is prohibited by the government from revealing details about the victims and cause of death.

During his two-week deployment in San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, Zohn witnessed the widespread devastation Maria wreaked on the island. "We saw everything, from roofs that were blown off to the many houses that were destroyed,'' he recalled.

Although the official death toll from the hurricane is 58, some experts estimate as many 500 were left dead but could not be counted because of conditions on the island.

Zohn's team, which included RSDM faculty Larry Dobrin, worked in a sequestered location poring over dental x-rays and received little information about the people they were helping identify. Phone and internet service was sporadic and electricity flickered on and off throughout the day. The team ate mostly military MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) and donated extra rations to city residents in need, he said.

But even when the working conditions are tough and a catastrophe's aftermath is heartbreaking, Zohn finds forensic work deeply gratifying. “It's important to give closure to families, and it’s important because I want to serve my country. It’s my way of giving back,''' he said.