title: The emerging role of genetics professionals in forensic kinship DNA identification after a mass fatality: lessons learned from Hurricane Katrina volunteers.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the experience of medical genetics professionals who volunteered in the DNA identification efforts after Hurricane Katrina to identify "lessons learned" and plan for future recovery efforts.
  
  
  METHODS
  A web-based survey was administered to volunteers in the Fall of 2007.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty-six individuals (75%) completed the survey. Eighty-six percent volunteered because they felt their skills as genetics professional were needed and 46% desired additional training on the molecular aspects of kinship analysis. Most (97%) reported that they would like to see the genetics community become actively involved in further developing the role of genetics professionals in mass fatality response. All respondents (100%) would volunteer again.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Developing a registry of volunteers and educational materials tailored to the needs of genetics professionals should be explored as a mechanism to prepare the genetics community to play an active role in future mass fatality response.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Women's Health, Division of Reproductive Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, USA. siobhanmdolan@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Siobhan M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Dolan
authors.forename: Devki S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Saraiya
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Donkervoort
authors.forename: Kelly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rogel
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lieber
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sozer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D055867:Cyclonic Storms; D004247:DNA / Q000235:genetics; D004190:Disasters / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D018732:Forensic Anthropology; D053803:Forensic Genetics / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012066:Relief Work / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014838:Volunteers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004247:DNA