Interpol to help identify AF 447 crash victims

The global police agency Interpol will help French and Brazilian officials identify victims of the crash of Air France flight 447, the organisation said on Tuesday.

The global police agency Interpol will help French and Brazilian officials identify victims of the crash of Air France flight 447, the organisation said on Tuesday.

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More than 228 people were lost when the Airbus A330 long-haul jet suddenly and mysteriously plunged into the Atlantic Ocean of June 1, and so far only 24 bodies have been recovered from the remote waters.

"Since the victims of this tragedy came from all parts of the globe, international collaboration will be essential in ensuring their accurate, dignified and speedy recovery and identification so as to enable the families to begin the healing process," said Interpol Secretary General Ronald Noble.

A statement from the agency said an Interpol officer would be attached to a French gendarmerie unit from Paris charged with identifying the victims using their DNA, fingerprints, medical records, tattoos and other clues.