Lithuania stages first mass disaster victim identification drills

Šiauliai district will host Lithuania’s first exercises on identifying victims of mass disasters and investigating mass graves, LRT reported. The drills, held on September 22 and 23, will simulate an aircraft crash and the examination of a mass grave.

During the first part, aircraft wreckage and victims’ bodies will be scattered across a large wooded area. Drones and Red Cross volunteers will assist with the search, while joint teams of officials from the Baltic states will identify the victims.

The second part will focus on a mass grave, including searches with ground penetrating radar, 3D scanning and exhumation. Temporary morgues will also be set up. Investigations at both locations will be coordinated from a joint command centre.

The exercises will involve criminal investigation officials from the police forces of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, Lithuania’s Military Police and experts from the State Forensic Medicine Service. Representatives of the International Red Cross and experts from the United Kingdom will observe the training.