Slow, tedious process in identifying victims

PETALING JAYA: Forensic and the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) process of the MH17 victims are going at a slow pace, with only 70 of the 227 coffins sent to Amsterdam opened so far.
The task is arduous although more than 200 international forensic experts from seven countries are involved in the task of identifying the remains of 298 people killed in the MH17 crash in Ukraine.
To date only one body, that of a Dutch national, has been identified, but authorities are withholding the name or sex.
A source said the task is slow and tedious as each of the 70 coffins opened so far were found to contain various body parts which are unmatched.
"Each body part is being checked through DNA analysis which is more reliable than identification based on finger prints, dental records, or identification marks. Furthermore, identification through unique belongings like personal jewellery cannot be done as they are believed to have been looted."
"We foresee a delay in getting the bodies identified as the whole procedure is done in line with criminal investigations," he added.
A total of 24 Malaysians are working with the five international teams comprising experts from the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, Australia, United Kingdom and Indonesia to identify the bodies.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak is scheduled to meet his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte in The Hague over the MH17 crash when he arrives today with a multi-ministrial delegation.
Najib is scheduled to arrive at 8am (2pm in Malaysia), accompanied by his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr S. Subramaniam and Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Hamzah Zainuddin.
Malaysian Ambassador to the Netherlands Datuk Dr Fauziah Mohamad Taib said Najib's visit is primarily aimed at getting an update on the DVI process and the repatriation of the Malaysian victims' remains.
She said Najib will have four hours of discussions with Rutte before leaving for Hilversum where the DVI and forensic investigations are being carried out.
Fauziah said Najib would host a dinner today and a media conference at 8am (2pm in Malaysia) tomorrow.
She said this is Najib's first working visit to the Netherlands.
MAS flight MH17 was flying from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur when it went down in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, near the Russian border on July 17.
The Boeing 777-200 aircraft, which was carrying 298 people – 283 passengers and 15 crew – is believed to have been shot down by a missile.
The remains of the victims were flown from Ukraine to the Netherlands.
Dutch nationals, at 193, comprised the largest number of passengers on Flight MH17.