The New Zealand Police Disaster Victim Identification team (DVI) in Victoria has described the scenes they have faced as "mindblowing".
Six DVI officers have been working in the devastated townships of Kinglake and Marysville since arriving in Victoria on 11th Feb.
Leading the team is Senior Sergeant Richard McPhail, normally based in Invercargill:
"We've never seen anything like it. There are scenes of absolute devastation - it is mindblowing." he said.
"I was in Thailand after the 2004 tsunami but this is different. The fire has taken everything away. Marysville has been wiped off the map."
"The work is very methodical, and we've been working up to 13 hours a day. The team has been supporting each other and reflecting on the scenes we've faced"
"The local people are also very appreciative of us being here - one man was amazed when he saw the New Zealand Police insignia on our uniforms."
The DVI team is now working in Melbourne where they are assisting Victoria Coronial Services.
"This reconciliation work is all about what we do - matching evidence like dna with identities. It allows us to reunite victims with their loved ones and is the most satisfying aspect of the job" said Senior Sergeant McPhail.
Four NZ Police victim recovery dogs and their handlers are also working in difficult conditions around Kinglake and Marysville. They are deployed alongside dog teams from Victoria Police.
Two New Zealand specialists in forensic dentistry - Dr Hugh Trengrove of Wellington and Dr Zafer Khouri of Hamilton - have also gone to Victoria to assist in the identification of victims.
Dr Trengrove is a dental expert with the New Zealand Defence Force where he holds the rank of Colonel. Both men were involved in victim identification following the 2004 tsunami.
The New Zealand contingent went over after an offer of help by Acting Commissioner Rob Pope was accepted by Victoria Police.
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