Dutch lead MH17 investigation

The Dutch Safety Board took over formal responsibility for the air crash investigation from Ukraine Wednesday evening.
Reporting on the investigation the Dutch Safety Board confirmed the two black boxes are now in the United Kingdom, where they are currently being read out and analysed by a team of international specialists. It may take several weeks to analyse the data from the two black boxes.
However, investigation still do not have safe access to the crash site, but they are gathering data from various sources in both Kiev and the Netherlands.
The board said the first priorities was to gather information from the crash site, analyse the black boxes and coordinate the international team.
Ultimately, the air crash investigation should offer victims families and the international community a clear and comprehensive overview of the causes and course of the crash.
With the Dutch Safety Board now heading the investigation, the international team should have more freedom to go about its tasks unhindered.
The board is also responsible for coordinating all participating investigators and investigation teams from the countries involved (Ukraine, Malaysia, Australia, Germany, the United States, the United Kingdom and Russia) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
The international team currently consists of 24 investigators. A total of four Dutch Safety Board investigators are currently operating in Ukraine.
At the time of the Duch Safety Board press statement, the investigators had not yet been able to visit the site of the crash and conduct their investigation under safe conditions.
In order to conduct an effective investigation, the investigators must have the opportunity to move around the entire investigation site freely, investigate materials and traces from up close and secure them for further study where necessary.
At present, the investigators’ safety has not been guaranteed. The Dutch Safety Board and other parties involved are continually working to gain access to the accident site, and are working with other parties to organise effective security so that the investigators can do their work under controlled and safe conditions.
Despite the fact that evidence and traces have been damaged or lost, the Dutch Safety Board expects it will be able to gather sufficient relevant information from the crash site.
Over the past few days, investigators have been working on the investigation in the Ukrainian capital of Kiev and in the Netherlands on the basis of available film and photo materials and other sources of information.
All information gathered as a part of this international investigation will be submitted to the Dutch Safety Board. The Dutch Safety Board will subsequently analyse this information, which will serve as the basis for a report and – where necessary – relevant recommendations.
Other investigators or investigation boards will support this process and comment on the draft investigation report and its conclusions. The Dutch Safety Board will have the final say as regards the contents and timing of all publications. If the investigation shows evidence of any criminal or terrorist activities, the information will subsequently be submitted to the relevant authorities. The board clamed its investigation would focus on ascertaining facts, rather than apportioning blame. (Prnewswire).

Sourced: ttrweekly