A task force which will see members from disciplined forces and other experts in the field join forces to expand the capabilites of an effective disaster response will soon be set up, Minister for Home Affairs Carmelo Abela announced today.
Disaster Victim Identifcation Malta, or DVI Malta, will untie forces from the Police, Army, Civil Protection, Health Authorities, University of Malta and the Academy for Disciplined Forces; and will sevre as an identifcation unit of victims in a natural or human disaster.
The task force will act under the remit of Ministry for Home Affairs and chaired by police inspector Charlo Casha.
It will also follow Interpol guidelines and begin to move away from the practices that rests visual recognition on the relatives of the victim.
“We believe that identification of victims beyond recognition should be by a systematic process which is scientific and most of all with dignity to the same victimsand their relatives,” said Mr Abela.
According to Mr Abela, DVI will create a proactive mentality that prepares for the protection of the nation in any eventuality.
The work of this task force is aimed at bolstering cooperation, sharing of skills and resources for a better response in order to creat interdisciplined teams whose roles are clearly identifiable.
The Academy for Disciplined Forces will serve as the centre for the joint training programme. The first course involves 30 members from the disciplined corps.
The training will be provided by local professional and four internationally renowned experts in the field such as Mr Christian Decobecq, Director of DVI Belgium, Mr Howard Way, Detective Inspector UK DVI, Mr Dirk Aime Maes Coordinator DVI Belgium specialising in ante mortem and Mr Eddy De Valck expert in Forensic Odontology
Mr Abela said that the DVI needs to be further discussed on an European level with the Minister addingthat during the country’s upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU, through its Law Enforcement Working Party will take the opportunity to start stimulating the introduction of a European DVI Network serving as a focal point of cooperation of local DVI Teams of Member States.
DVI Chairperson Charlo Casha said that whilst the issue may be uncomfortable since disasters can be unpredictable and take human lives, it is imperative the process is scientifically sound, implemented in reasonable amount of time, and based on set standards by Interpol.