Identifying the remains of fire victims could take days to weeks, relying on dental records or DNA, according to Dr. Odey Ukpo, L.A. County's chief medical examiner.
Most fire victims are "charred," losing identifiers like fingerprints and facial features, making identification complicated, stated Dr. Odey Ukpo.
The medical examiner's office prioritizes dental records for identification but will resort to DNA analysis if dental comparisons aren't feasible.
During autopsies, pathologists check for specific identifying features and trauma, using evidence to affirm or disprove identity against medical records.
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