Identification of the Victims of the Brumadinho Disaster by the Civil Police of Minas Gerais: a Case Study on Information Management Practices at the Legal Medical Institute

Abstract

This article analyzes the role of the Dr. André Roquette Forensic Medical Institute (IMLAR), of the Minas Gerais Civil Police, in the context of the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) process following the Brumadinho disaster in 2019, as a case study on information management practices applied to high-complexity scenarios. The objective was to examine the impact of a nine-digit numerical coding system and the use of technological tools, such as the B-Match software and the Alethia and Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), on strengthening traceability, data organization, and the chain of custody of human remains. A qualitative approach was adopted, including a literature review and the application of a questionnaire to professionals who worked directly in the post-mortem stages of the DVI Brumadinho operation. The results indicate that numerical coding significantly contributed to the standardization of information flows and to the control of forensic evidence, and was perceived by professionals as an effective practice with potential applicability to routine institutional workflows. The interviews also revealed relevant procedural adjustments and highlighted managerial and cultural challenges related to the incorporation of these practices into ordinary operations. It is concluded that the Brumadinho experience provides important insights for improving information management practices related to the identification of deceased individuals within the Minas Gerais Civil Police.