With approval from the Royal Thai Police, two of BIOTEC scientists, Dr. Suganya Yongkiettrakul and Dr. Nipa Chokesajjawatee, joined the group of around 60 staff from more than 20 countries working in the Thai Tsunami Disaster Victim Identification (TTVI) Information Management Centre in Phuket, Thailand, during 10 – 19 February 2005.

TTVI Information Management Centre includes forensic specialists in a number of areas, including odontology and DNA fingerprint. The Centre is split into various sections to process both ante and post mortem information which are then entered into a specially created database to assist with the identification of all victims of the Thai tsunami. “This collaboration brought better understanding and strengthened relationship among the staff from TTVI and from Thai organizations who get involved in the victim identification activities using DNA fingerprint”, said Dr. Yongkiettrakul.

“This project with TTVI is the first time for Thai scientists to work with international organization to identify lost people by using DNA fingerprint technique. It may take more than a year to archive the goal of this project and requires contribution from the scientists in various fields. As for myself, to participate in this project makes me realized that we should take priority to start establishing the effective and realistic DNA fingerprint system for forensic science to be used in our country. While there still is lack of expertise and personnel in Thailand, working with TTVI will be a good opportunity for us to learn and to share knowledge and techniques with their experts, which will enhance our capacity for the future works”, she added.