DNA Tests for Fallen and Buried Soldiers at Fromelles

On 19-20 July 1916, the Battle of Fromelles was fought in France during World War I. It was the first time that Australian Imperial Forces (AIF) saw action on the Western Front, and 5,533 Australian soldiers were killed, wounded or taken prisoner in an operation that the Australian War Memorial describes as the “worst 24 hours in Australia’s entire history.” To compound the misery, the Germans buried the bodies of the Australian dead in mass graves shortly after the battle.

Filed under: Cemeteries, Death & Dying, Death Care News, Death Investigation on August 10th, 2009 | No Comments »

When Are You Dead?

Are you afraid that doctors will declare that you’re dead when you’re still alive but not responsive? The fear of being buried alive is a long-standing one, but these days folks might fear being tagged for organ or total body donation when they are, in fact, still alive. Have you ever thought about what measure is used to determine when people really are dead?

Filed under: Death Care News, Other Legal Matters, Wills & Estate Planning on July 4th, 2009 | 1 Comment »