9/11 expert: Grim search could take years

A LEADING forensic expert who worked on the 9/11 investigation has warned that it could take months or even years before all the Grenfell victims are identified.

Dr Judy Melinek said only 60 per cent of the 2,996 victims of the 2001 World Trade Center attack were positively identified ‘and the same could happen in this case’.

The task is likely to be From Caroline Graham IN LOS ANGELES made even more difficult because victims lost their possessions during last week’s inferno.

Dr Melinek said: ‘On 9/11, people died at work. We were able to collect DNA from toothbrushes, hairbrushes and underwear at home and compare it with the DNA from the remains found in the rubble.

‘But when you have a case like Grenfell it makes things extremely difficult. People died at home and their personal effects went up in flames with them.

‘There is also a high percentage of people from other countries so the collection of familial DNA will be far more difficult.’

To begin the process of identifying the victims of the disaster, investigators will first have to photograph bodies, then transfer them to a morgue for formal processing.

Dr Melinek said: ‘You have to determine the cause of death – whether they burned or died of smoke inhalation.

‘Then, in most cases, the victims will be identified by DNA testing, which is time-consuming.

‘Relatives will need to be tracked down, which in some cases will involve co-operation with foreign embassies.’

If remains cannot be positively identified, a person can still be declared legally dead if they are missing.

A family member must make a claim of presumed death and present it to a High Court judge, who will then issue a death certificate.