Public Inquiry into the Identification of Victims following Major Transport Accidents : report of Lord justice Clarke / presented to Parliament by the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions.

The collision between the dredger Bowbell and the pleasure cruiser Marchioness occurred on 20th August, 1989, in the River Thames. Fifty-one people lost their lives as a result. During the identification process, the hands of a number of the deceased were removed, which distressed relatives who then pressed for a public inquiry. The terms of reference of this inquiry were: 1. To consider and report on procedures followed to establish the identity of the victims of the collision, 2. To review and to report on the procedures currently followed when establishing the identity of victims following similar accidents, 3. In the interests of minimising distress to the families of victims, to advise on what additional procedures should be followed when the need to identify victims arises following similar accidents, and to consider and advise on procedures for the notification and involvement of the next of kin in cases where it is necessary to establish the identity of such victims