The role of social media profiles and dental data in migrant disaster victim identification

Migrant Disaster Victim Identification (MDVI) faces numerous challenges, among which the limited availability of antemortem (AM) data is one of the most critical. Migrants who die during irregular journeys to Europe are often recovered without documents, with uncertain nationality, scarce contextual information, and no accessible medical or dental records. Although postmortem (PM) procedures may include the collection of fingerprints, DNA, dental findings, radiographs, and personal effects, AM-PM reconciliation remains difficult when families are dispersed, unreachable, or reluctant to contact police authorities. This short communication proposes the integration of social media profiles and dental data as a complementary humanitarian forensic strategy. Smile photographs, selfies, profile images, videos, and group photographs shared through social networks may contain visible dental information, including diastemata, rotations, missing teeth, restorations, prosthetic elements, and other anterior dental features. These data cannot replace primary identifiers but may support exclusion, candidate prioritisation, and targeted antemortem enquiries. The author also suggests that the voluntary registration of social media handles during migrant reception could create useful digital contact points, particularly where arriving migrants are relatives, friends, or travelling companions of individuals who disappeared or died en route. A crucial role could be played by National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies through the Restoring Family Links service, including operational tools such as the Trace the Face platform, which may facilitate the retrieval of antemortem facial and smile images. Training RFL officers to recognise relevant dental and digital antemortem information, in synergy with forensic odontologists, may enhance MDVI processes while preserving essential humanitarian safeguards.