New Zealand Police to assist in MH17 victim identification

24 July 2014

Superintendent Barry Taylor, National Manager Operations:

New Zealand Police is sending three Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) specialists to the Netherlands to assist in the international effort to identify victims from the MH17 tragedy.

This follows the acceptance of an offer to the Interpol Secretariat General (IPSG) Headquarters in Lyon, France, who are coordinating the DVI process.

The three police staff are now en-route to the Netherlands.

"We are pleased to be able to contribute to the international response effort, which is testament the skills and experience of our staff in the DVI field."

"New Zealand Police has internationally recognised expertise in this field gained through events such as its work in Thailand following the Boxing Day tsunami, the Victoria bush fires and more recently the Christchurch earthquake.

"New Zealand Police is a signatory to the international DVI protocols which are set by INTERPOL.

"DVI work is an exacting, challenging process which takes time, but our staff will be very focussed on working with their international colleagues to identify the victims and help their grieving families."

The New Zealand Police staff will be part of an international DVI team headed by the Dutch Authorities at Hilversum. Their initial deployment is expected to be for three weeks, with the possibility of second three week rotation of three other staff after that.

Further information on the DVI process can be found on the INTERPOL website at: www.interpol.int/INTERPOL-expertise/Forensics/DVI

ENDS

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