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.”