The squad has responded to many different types of disasters, including airline crashes, shipwrecks, fires, hurricanes, floods, bus and train accidents, mining accidents, bombings and explosions, hijackings, a mass murder-suicide, and a volcanic eruption. The squad is composed of special agents and highly specialized latent fingerprint identification experts. Worldwide assistance is available if disaster victims are U.S. citizens. The squad's investigative jurisdiction is covered by the Federal Aviation Administration Act of 1958, the Comprehensive Crime Control Act of 1984, and the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Anti-Terrorism Act of 1986. Before the squad becomes involved in a disaster, local jurisdictions must develop a disaster plan that can be quickly and effectively implemented. Squad capabilities and operations are discussed in terms of fingerprint record sources, the disaster site, morgue facilities, special equipment, and media relations. 3 references and 5 figures