How it all started...

In the early 1980’s, a committee was formed within the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) to address disaster situations and specifically, mass fatality incidents. This group found that no standardization then existed and worked toward creating a national protocol for the formation of a proper response. Initially, they were concentrating on just the role of funeral directors, but it was soon discovered that funeral directors and no one profession could handle all of the aspects of such an event. A multi-faceted nonprofit organization open to all forensic practitioners was formed by the committee to support the idea of a national level response protocol for all related professions. This group formed, and led by Tom Shepardson purchased the first portable morgue unit in the country and their equipment has supported DMORT missions in Illinois, Indiana, Guam, Michigan and Del Rio.

Soon after this non profit group of volunteers had formed, government interest in this topic came to the forefront. Families who had lost loved ones in airline incidents felt that the treatment that they had received was inadequate and demanded a response from congress. As a result, Congress passed The Family Assistance Act in October of 1996 and required all American based airlines (and later all those operating in the US) to have a plan to assist families in the case of an accident. DMORT is one federal team which can be called in to help if needed.

DMORT has grown from its humble beginnings in the early 1990’s to the current group of over 1200 trained and capable volunteers who respond at a moments notice to assist those in need.

Origin of the DMORT Logo:

The DMORT logo was a Region V Team effort. Frank Saul (Commander) did the first sketch and layout. Matthew J Naujock (Logistics Officer, forensic artist and former autopsy assistant, Lucas County Coroners Office - now a Toledo Police Officer) did further layout and the final artwork. Julie Saul (Forensic Anthropologist) provided additional suggestions. The logo was selected from several proposed logos for DMORT by the late Tom Shepardson, National Commander, and donated by Region V for official DMORT use.

EXPLANATION:

"The upper segment is dominated by a dove (representing the victims, their families, and the morticians who care for them) and a medico-legal symbol (caduceus/scales of justice) representing Forensic Pathology, and the legal need for positive identification of victims by Forensic Science. Forensic Odontology, Fingerprinting, Forensic Anthropology and Radiology are shown below, unified by DNA and photographic film (the latter representing documentation). A computer is central to the process."