REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MECCA -- The process of identifying the bodies stored in Al Muaisim was still ongoing. Identification team of Hajj Committee (PPIH) of Saudi Arabia would cooperate with Indonesian Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team of Police to continue the identification process.

DVI team leader, Commisioner Dr. Muhammad Mas'udi, stated the identification process could be done through DNA and fingerprint matching. However, identification by fingerprints still be the fastest.

The fingerprint identification process only took a minute. Of note, the fingerprint data of the pilgrims have been recorded in the electronic identity card (e-ID).

"With INAFIS machines that we have, the identity will directly out within one minute," said Mas'udi, Sunday (4/10).

Meanwhile, identification process through DNA matching took up to two weeks. It depends how long to get DNA samples from the family.

Therefore, according to Mas'udi, DVI team would rely on pilgrims data recorded in Information Systems and Integrated Computerized Hajj (Siskohat) of Ministry of Religious Affairs as antemortem data. Antemortem data was data before the pilgrims died.

Mas'udi stated, Siskohat has recorded data on names, addresses, fingerprints, passport number and visa number of pilgrims. The antemortem data would be matched with postmortem data or data after the pilgrims died.

"I think it has been completed. Hopefully it will be going smoothly," said Mas'udi.

DVI team arrived in Jeddah on Saturday (3/10). The Saudi Arabian government has given access to the hospital of Arab Saudi. Nevertheless, the DVI team was coordinating with Ministry of Health of Saudi Arabia to be able to access the bodies of victims of Mina.

According Mas'udi, DVI team has not been able to access the four containers of bodies brought to Jeddah.

"We're not able to access, we are still waiting for the authorities," he added.

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