Additional UK Experts Arrive in NZ

Two highly experienced UK disaster victim identification (DVI) experts arrived in Christchurch, New Zealand, yesterday to help with the hard work of identifying victims of the devastating earthquake in the city last week.

The team will be supplemented by a further 8 DVI experts arriving into Christchurch airport from the UK tomorrow afternoon.

Made up of an Odontologist, a fingerprint specialist, a photographer, a pathologist, advanced DVI experts and DVI collators, the team is led by Commander Nick Bracken from the UK Metropolitan police.

Commander Bracken is currently Commander of East London and during his career has led a number of high profile investigations following train crashes, fires, air crashes and boat capsizing. Mr Bracken's expertise in the field of identification was recognised in the 2006 New Years Honours List when he was awarded the OBE for services to Policing.

The British High Commissioner to NZ, Ms Vicki Treadell, has been on the ground in Christchurch assisting British nationals and said the UK is only too willing to help.

“With New Zealand and Britain being such close friends, this is an opportunity to support and assist each other at this time of crisis,” Ms Treadell said.

“We also have a large consular team on the ground who are providing full consular assistance to any British nationals that require it, and continue to work closely with NZ authorities during this difficult time,” she said.

ENDS

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