Sorenson Forensics Partners with Trimega Laboratories to Identify Passengers on Libyan Airline Crash
- Trimega Laboratories, Appointed by Libyan Government to Lead the Identification Effort, Chooses Sorenson Forensics to Join Its Scientific Team in Identifying Victims of the May 12, 2010 Afriqiyah Airways Crash at Tripoli Airport
- Strategic Working Relationship between Leading Forensics Organizations Sorenson Forensics and Trimega Laboratories Dates Back to 2007
- Sorenson Forensics’ Advanced DNA Laboratory Helped Chechnyan Government Identify September 2004 Elementary School Victims, Assisted Thai Government in Identifying Victims from 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami
LONDON and SALT LAKE CITY (June 7, 2010) – Sorenson Forensics today announced that it is collaborating with Trimega Laboratories as part of its expert scientific team to genetically identify victims of the Afriqiyah Airways Flight 771, who died May 12, 2010 when the airline’s Airbus 330-200 plane crash-landed at Tripoli Airport. The flight originated in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The crash claimed the lives of 92 passengers and 11 Afriqiyah crew members. According to information provided by Afriqiyah Airline, the victims included at least 70 passengers from the Netherlands, and others from Austria, France, Germany, Libya, South Africa, the United Kingdom and Zimbabwe. The flight’s sole survivor, a 10-year-old Dutch boy, is in stable condition after receiving treatment at a Tripoli hospital for multiple broken bones in both legs.
“In the wake of this tragedy, we are honored to be included by Trimega Laboratories, to support the Libyan government in identifying the passengers of the recent crash in Tripoli,” said Tim Kupferschmid, executive director of Sorenson Forensics. “Though we cannot bring back those lost in the crash, we are grateful that our collective scientific experience coupled with advanced genetic analysis enables us to help bring closure and peace of mind to the family members and friends who survive them.”
Trimega, which was assigned by the Libyan government to coordinate the genetic identification of the crash victims, invited Sorenson Forensics to join the scientific team. Sorenson Forensics has sent key staff to London to support the effort.
“We welcome Sorenson Forensics’ inclusion on our team and believe that its scientists’ tremendous expertise in genetic testing and analysis is important for this project,” said Avi Lasarow, CEO of Trimega Laboratories. “We have developed a close partnership working together on important international cases dating back to 2007, and have great confidence in one another’s capabilities.”
Sorenson Forensics’ team assisted the Chechnyan government in identifying victims of the September 2004 elementary school bombings, and was the only private laboratory chosen by the Thai government to help identifying victims of the December 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. The Salt Lake-based company, an independent business unit of Sorenson Genomics, receives and analyzes forensic evidence for DNA testing from more than 100 law enforcement agencies in the U.S., Europe, Asia and Africa, and develops and delivers on-site laboratory improvement programs that strengthen forensic DNA laboratories worldwide.
About Sorenson Forensics
Sorenson Forensics (www.sorensonforensics.com) is a leading provider of advanced forensic DNA services and offers industry-best casework assistance to federal, state and local crime laboratories, assists officers of the court in individual criminal cases, and offers comprehensive forensic DNA services to private industry clients. Sorenson Forensics provides such services as STR and Y-STR analysis; mitochondrial DNA sequencing; comprehensive biology screening; full serology testing, including blood, semen and other body fluid identification; DNA case consultation; expert testimony, validation services and laboratory optimization services. The Sorenson Forensics team consists of individuals internationally recognized for their extensive public and private crime lab experience and for their rigor in the exacting requirements of forensics casework. Sorenson Forensics has established an extraordinary record for helping to crack difficult-to-resolve cases, including previously unsolved “cold cases.”
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Press Contact
Jacob Moon
Sorenson Forensics Public Relations
801.490.1017
jacob@methodcommunications.com