Utility of Child Physical Characteristics and Verbal Descriptors to Aid in Family Reunification During Disasters

• 2022

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• Terri Rebmann; Rachel Charney; Rachel Mazzara
PMID: 35913179DOI: https://doi.org/10.5055/ajdm.2022.0415

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About

This article describes how certain physical traits and personal details can help reunite children with their families during disasters. Researchers found that gender, eye color, and race were the most reliable traits for identification. However, hair details were less consistent. Verbal children could also provide helpful information like having a pet or favorite toy to speed up reunification. The study suggests using the most accurate information to quickly match children with their caregivers in emergencies, improving safety and efficiency during such situations.

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Tags

Focus Areas: Everyday Emergency; Natural Disasters; Severe Weather

Audiences: Emergency Managers; EMS Clinicians; Nurses; Physicians

Emergency Management Stage: Response

Bundles: Disaster Research Literature Review

Keywords: Child; Clothing; Disasters; Eye Color; Hair; Parents; Caregivers; Emergency Service, Hospital; Surge Capacity; Emergencies

Institutions: St. Louis University

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