Warning: This exhibition has some horrific pictures of dead people.
In January 2005, I traveled to Thailand to see the genesis of the Thai forensic identification project. The project fell into place under the direction of international police teams, Interpol, and Thailand's maverick pathologist, Dr. Pornthip Rojanasunand. I was granted full access to the Thai side of the Yan Yao temple (the foreign teams kept to themselves) to document the project. I spent four weeks at the temple, photographing the complete development of the identification project until the day Dr. Pornthip left.
"Whilst we have a care of duty to ensure that the dead are treated with decency and respect, we have a care of duty, ethics, morals and support to the families who must live with this for the rest of their lives. Unfortunately when we think of the casualties of a disaster we usually think of the deceased, but the real casualties are the survivors."
Sue Black, forensic anthropologist
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Dr. Luba Matic in the storage container, 2005
Dr. Luba Matic stands at the entrance to a storage container full of semi-frozen corpses, victims of the tsunami in Thailand. These containers are at the Bang Muang temple, in the Khao Lak region of Thailand, where the greatest number of people died.
Dr. Luba Matic in the storage container, 2005
Dr. Luba Matic stands at the entrance to a storage container full of semi-frozen corpses, victims of the tsunami in Thailand. These containers are at the Bang Muang temple, in the Khao Lak region of Thailand, where the greatest number of people died.
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Tsunami Damaged Beach, 2005
The tsunami in Thailand swept away beaches and houses, sometimes bringing a house onto a beach.
Tsunami Damaged Beach, 2005
The tsunami in Thailand swept away beaches and houses, sometimes bringing a house onto a beach.
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Tsunami destroyed reenforced concrete, 2005
The force of the tsunami tore apart everything in its path, including the reenforced concrete holding what was once a bridge at a luxery resort at Khao Lak, Thailand.
Tsunami destroyed reenforced concrete, 2005
The force of the tsunami tore apart everything in its path, including the reenforced concrete holding what was once a bridge at a luxery resort at Khao Lak, Thailand.
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Examining Bodies, 2005
Doctors and volunteers examine bodies of tsunami victims at the Yan Yao temple, Thailand, taking DNA samples and sorting the bodies into Asian and Europeans for later examination.
Examining Bodies, 2005
Doctors and volunteers examine bodies of tsunami victims at the Yan Yao temple, Thailand, taking DNA samples and sorting the bodies into Asian and Europeans for later examination.
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Monks and Novices in Thailand, 2005
The Thai have their kind own psychosocial support for survivors of the tsunami. In response to the tsunami, Thai monks, nuns, and novices from all over Thailand have come to the affected areas to give people someone to speak with. Traditionally very self-controlled, the Thai are uncomfortable with European-style psychologists, especially foreigners, and fall back on their traditional sources of help: the monks.
Monks and Novices in Thailand, 2005
The Thai have their kind own psychosocial support for survivors of the tsunami. In response to the tsunami, Thai monks, nuns, and novices from all over Thailand have come to the affected areas to give people someone to speak with. Traditionally very self-controlled, the Thai are uncomfortable with European-style psychologists, especially foreigners, and fall back on their traditional sources of help: the monks.
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Decontamination Sprayer, 2005
Soldiers constantly sprayed examination areas to reduce transfer of germs from the "contaminated" area to the public. While scientists recognize that corpses are not dangerous, the Thai were erring on the side of caution.
Decontamination Sprayer, 2005
Soldiers constantly sprayed examination areas to reduce transfer of germs from the "contaminated" area to the public. While scientists recognize that corpses are not dangerous, the Thai were erring on the side of caution.
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Dr. Luba Matic, 2005
Dr. Luba Matic leans over a corpse as he works to reconstruct the face, to aid identification of the body, at the Bang Muang temple near Khao Lak, Thailand.
Dr. Luba Matic, 2005
Dr. Luba Matic leans over a corpse as he works to reconstruct the face, to aid identification of the body, at the Bang Muang temple near Khao Lak, Thailand.
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Soldiers in Body Container, 2005
Soldiers take a break in the door to a storage container containing bodies of victims of the tsunami in Thailand. The containers keep the bodies cold, to slow decay.
Soldiers in Body Container, 2005
Soldiers take a break in the door to a storage container containing bodies of victims of the tsunami in Thailand. The containers keep the bodies cold, to slow decay.
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Corpses awaiting DNA extraction, 2005
Corpses lie on the ground in a dry ice mist, keeping cool, while volunteers take a rib for DNA samples, at the Yan Yao temple in Thailand where forensic scientists are working on the identification and storage of the dead. Most of the bodies are Thai, but occasionally a foreigner is found.
Corpses awaiting DNA extraction, 2005
Corpses lie on the ground in a dry ice mist, keeping cool, while volunteers take a rib for DNA samples, at the Yan Yao temple in Thailand where forensic scientists are working on the identification and storage of the dead. Most of the bodies are Thai, but occasionally a foreigner is found.
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Recording documents, 2005
A volunteer checks a ring for marks which might help identify its wearer at the Yan Yao temple in Thailand, where thousands of bodies are being processed by both Thai and European teams. Small marks on jewelry often indicate its source.
Recording documents, 2005
A volunteer checks a ring for marks which might help identify its wearer at the Yan Yao temple in Thailand, where thousands of bodies are being processed by both Thai and European teams. Small marks on jewelry often indicate its source.
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Organizing DNA Samples, 2005
Volunteers label and sort DNA sample at the Yan Yao temple tsunami victim identification center in Thailand. The samples include teeth and ribs.
Organizing DNA Samples, 2005
Volunteers label and sort DNA sample at the Yan Yao temple tsunami victim identification center in Thailand. The samples include teeth and ribs.
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Autopsy Kits, 2005
With an unprecedented number of autopsies to do, the tools at the Yan Yao Temple identification center for tsunami victims in Thailand were often simple (but effective). For the volunteer dentists, an examination kit might include only an exact knife, toothbrush, and a few sticks, wrapped in a cotton cloth.
Autopsy Kits, 2005
With an unprecedented number of autopsies to do, the tools at the Yan Yao Temple identification center for tsunami victims in Thailand were often simple (but effective). For the volunteer dentists, an examination kit might include only an exact knife, toothbrush, and a few sticks, wrapped in a cotton cloth.
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Corpses awaiting DNA extraction, 2005
Corpses lie on the ground in a dry ice mist, keeping cool, while volunteers take a rib for DNA samples, at the Yan Yao temple in Thailand where forensic scientists are working on the identification and storage of the dead. Most of the bodies are Thai, but occasionally a foreigner is found.
Corpses awaiting DNA extraction, 2005
Corpses lie on the ground in a dry ice mist, keeping cool, while volunteers take a rib for DNA samples, at the Yan Yao temple in Thailand where forensic scientists are working on the identification and storage of the dead. Most of the bodies are Thai, but occasionally a foreigner is found.
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Tag Team, 2005
Thai soldiers, brought in to aid the identification teams, hammer codes into metal tags to attach to corpses, to identify them as they move through the identification process at the Yan Yao temple in Thailand.
Tag Team, 2005
Thai soldiers, brought in to aid the identification teams, hammer codes into metal tags to attach to corpses, to identify them as they move through the identification process at the Yan Yao temple in Thailand.
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Resting Volunteer, 2005
A volunteer takes a break at the tsunami victim identification center at the Yan Yao Temple, near Khao Lak, Thailand.
Resting Volunteer, 2005
A volunteer takes a break at the tsunami victim identification center at the Yan Yao Temple, near Khao Lak, Thailand.
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Volunteer at Wat Yan Yao, 2005
A volunteer
Volunteer at Wat Yan Yao, 2005
A volunteer
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Examination Area of Bang Muang Temple, 2005
Thai soldiers and volunteers move bodies in and out of the cold storage containers to extract DNA and sort them between Asians and Europeans, "pre-identification." Asian bodies are handled by the Thai, and Europeans given to the European forensic teams.
Examination Area of Bang Muang Temple, 2005
Thai soldiers and volunteers move bodies in and out of the cold storage containers to extract DNA and sort them between Asians and Europeans, "pre-identification." Asian bodies are handled by the Thai, and Europeans given to the European forensic teams.
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Dr. Matic Reconstructs a Face, 2005
Dr. Luba Matic reshapes the face of a decayed tsunami victim, recovering much of the original shape of the face. The lip is pulled back to show the bone below the nose, which shows the original position of the nose. The reconstructed face is photographed, then retouched on computer. The faces are shown to the Thai public in the hope that one will be recognized.
Dr. Matic Reconstructs a Face, 2005
Dr. Luba Matic reshapes the face of a decayed tsunami victim, recovering much of the original shape of the face. The lip is pulled back to show the bone below the nose, which shows the original position of the nose. The reconstructed face is photographed, then retouched on computer. The faces are shown to the Thai public in the hope that one will be recognized.
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Corpse of Child, 2005
Very young children were the most difficult to examine of the tsunami victims because they decayed quickly, and had fewer identifying marks. This child is lying in the examination area of the Yan Yao temple, Thailand.
Corpse of Child, 2005
Very young children were the most difficult to examine of the tsunami victims because they decayed quickly, and had fewer identifying marks. This child is lying in the examination area of the Yan Yao temple, Thailand.
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Photographs of a Identified Person in Thailand, 2005
A friend of the family shows photographs of a German man who died in the tsunami, at the Yan Yao Temple, Thailand, where the final identification was made. The friend, who'd come seraching for this man, recognized the tattoo on the right shoulder the photograph of the corpse.
Photographs of a Identified Person in Thailand, 2005
A friend of the family shows photographs of a German man who died in the tsunami, at the Yan Yao Temple, Thailand, where the final identification was made. The friend, who'd come seraching for this man, recognized the tattoo on the right shoulder the photograph of the corpse.
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Coffin with Identified Person in Car, 2005
As people are identified at the Yan Yao temple, Thailand, they are returned to the families in sealed coffins, carried away in which ever van or pickup is available. The Yan Yao temple houses a crematorium (reflected in the glass), so it is traditionally a place of death.
Coffin with Identified Person in Car, 2005
As people are identified at the Yan Yao temple, Thailand, they are returned to the families in sealed coffins, carried away in which ever van or pickup is available. The Yan Yao temple houses a crematorium (reflected in the glass), so it is traditionally a place of death.
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Children Paint Tsunami Pictures, 2005
Children paint pictures of the tsunami at the camp for people left homeless by the tsunami, near Bang Muang, Thailand. The drawings are therapy and income, and will be sold in the U.S. to support the refugees. There are over 4,000 people at the camp. Thai and foreign volunteers, and the Thai army, all work at the camp, which is clean and comfortable.
Children Paint Tsunami Pictures, 2005
Children paint pictures of the tsunami at the camp for people left homeless by the tsunami, near Bang Muang, Thailand. The drawings are therapy and income, and will be sold in the U.S. to support the refugees. There are over 4,000 people at the camp. Thai and foreign volunteers, and the Thai army, all work at the camp, which is clean and comfortable.
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Children Paint Tsunami Pictures, 2005
Children at the camp for the homeless near near Bang Muang, Thailand, have been painting pictures of the tsunami disaster. The drawings are therapy and income, and will be sold in the U.S. to support the refugees.
Children Paint Tsunami Pictures, 2005
Children at the camp for the homeless near near Bang Muang, Thailand, have been painting pictures of the tsunami disaster. The drawings are therapy and income, and will be sold in the U.S. to support the refugees.
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Children Paint Tsunami Pictures, 2005
Children at the camp for the homeless near near Bang Muang, Thailand, have been painting pictures of the tsunami disaster. The drawings are therapy and income, and will be sold in the U.S. to support the refugees.
Children Paint Tsunami Pictures, 2005
Children at the camp for the homeless near near Bang Muang, Thailand, have been painting pictures of the tsunami disaster. The drawings are therapy and income, and will be sold in the U.S. to support the refugees.
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