This paper deals with an analytical and computation strategy, based on the adjoint variable approach and boundary integral equation (BIE) formulations, for evaluating void or crack shape sensitivities of objective functionals. Boundary-only expressions for such sensitivities are sought in the context of linear elastodynamics. An evolutionary hybrid algorithm with the gradient mutation is employed for the identification of material defects. Numerical tests of sensitivity expressions and identification of an internal crack and void are presented.