Letter to the editor

Clarifications from Interpol and ICMP

CEBU, Philippines – Following media coverage of the one-year anniversary of the tragic sinking of the MV Princess of the Stars and other loss of life caused by Typhoon Frank on 21 June 2008, we feel it is important to correct recent misleading reports on the DNA-assisted victim identification work undertaken by Interpol and the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP).

As the tragedy unfolded, due to the complexity and scale of the disaster in which over 800 died, a collaborative international response with the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) was quickly activated within days to provide vital assistance in identifying the victims as accurately and quickly as possible in line with Interpol's globally accepted protocols.

Following a disaster such as this, there are inevitably questions and confusion. However, what was clear from the outset was the essential role and accuracy of DNA testing as part of the Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) efforts of the NBI, Interpol and the ICMP to identify as many of the remains as possible, as quickly as possible, and at no cost to the families.

We are disappointed to have read statements attributed to the Public Attorney's Office chief Persida Rueda-Acosta falsely suggesting that DNA identification is unreliable, when in fact reliable scientific evidence and the experience of Interpol, the ICMP and police worldwide consider it one of the most effective means of identification. It is obvious that Chief Acosta is greatly misinformed about how victims can be identified using state-of-the-art DNA technology and procedures. Interpol and the ICMP would therefore urge all public officials and commentators on this matter to ensure they are fully informed to avoid making any scientifically unsupported statement.

The correct facts are as follows:

Firstly, it was decided with the Philippines authorities leading the investigation that DNA identification was the only method which could guarantee accurate victim identification because it was clear to experts that identifiers such as fingerprints, medical and dental records would not be widely available for the victims.

With a match certainty of at least 99.95 percent the type of DNA testing performed for the victims of Typhoon Frank has been recognized by experts as the most objective and certain means of identification worldwide. The chance of an erroneous match is one in billions, which is why this type of testing is used and accepted internationally in cases ranging from establishing paternity to criminal prosecutions.

Also, the DNA testing was conducted at the ICMP’s laboratory in Sarajevo, one of the world’s most advanced for this type of work, with exacting standards of International Accreditation and rigorous quality control systems.

Second, as to the victims still unaccounted for, sadly the main reason is that they are still missing, with some still trapped within the wreckage of the ferry.

Third, if some recovered bodies remain unidentified, it is primarily because their relatives unfortunately have not come forward to provide required reference DNA samples, even if public campaigns have encouraged them to do so.

In this respect however, comparisons will have been made impossible if whole families perished in the tragedy.

Lastly, we are surprised by some media reports stating that relatives of the victims of Typhoon Frank have had to shoulder the costs of DNA tests. The families were never asked to meet the costs of DNA-assisted identification, since these were borne entirely by Interpol.

Both Interpol and the ICMP have proceeded as far as was possible with identification of the recovered victims, at this time. Nearly 2,500 reference blood samples collected from relatives led to the DNA-assisted identification of 449 victims, enabling their remains to be returned to their families, and thereby allowing these a measure of relief in their personal tragedy.

Interpol and the ICMP, working with the NBI, have in the last year held several press conferences in Cebu City to explain and support the use of DNA testing to identify the victims and to help the media, the public, and above all the families of the victims, understand the DNAassisted identification process.

As we mark the one-year anniversary of this tragic event, therefore, we hope that journalists reporting on the identification process of the victims of Typhoon Frank will use every available opportunity to contact Interpol and ICMP to ensure due accuracy in their reports.

Ronald K. Noble, Secretary General, INTERPOL

Kathryne Bomberger, Director General, International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP)