The specialized forensic team that arrived from Lima at the Ica Legal Medicine Division completed the individualization of the remains of the
Legal Medicine Institute (IML) Criminalistics Department Chief Jose Luis Pacheco said the team individualized the human skeletal remains recovered after the fatal air crash based on sex, height, weight, and distinctive physical characteristics such as moles, scars, and tattoos.
"We have already individualized the human skeletal remains by sex—whether male or female—as well as by height, weight, and certain distinctive physical characteristics, such as moles and tattoos," Pacheco stated.
"The work was completed on Sunday, August 2, between 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m.," he added.
The specialist highlighted that the specialized forensic team completed the individualization of the remains of all 13 victims in less than 24 hours.
The process will now continue with confirmation through DNA analysis, along with the comparison of dental records and other information provided by relatives and consular authorities.
The clothing worn by the European tourists when they boarded the light aircraft will be crucial to their identification, as some of the recovered skeletal remains were still wearing it.
"We worked virtually all day Sunday until late at night. The next step is to confirm these findings, as we have collected samples from the skeletal remains to send to the DNA laboratory at the Ayacucho Forensic Medicine Unit," Pacheco noted.
The specialist said the family of pilot Americo Salazar had already arrived at the Ica Legal Medicine Division to begin the procedures for claiming the body.
He added that the medico-legal certificate had already been issued and that the body would be released with the authorization of the Public Ministry (Prosecutor's Office).
(END) GBL/MAO/MVB