Their thirst for knowledge about every detail is completely understandable.
At the Clutha Vaults it can appear there is an inordinate delay in answering that most basic question for some of the families, 'Is my loved one, one of the dead?'.
I have no doubt the authorities want to confirm those facts and break the news, but great care has to be taken to get this right.
The law demands it, and a mistake in such a sensitive area is unforgiveable.
It's like a doctor giving a patient a wrong diagnosis, or a miscarriage of justice.
It is clear that the Clutha incident scene remains a very challenging site.
It looks like the remains of the helicopter are holding up the building and vice versa.
Body recovery has to be done safely and professionally and this is going to be a slower process than anyone would want.
I've also no doubt the emergency services will have full regard to the dignity of the deceased of the sort that was apparent in incidents including Piper Alpha, Lockerbie and Stockline.
Meantime, I've no doubt that the list of potential victims held by the police is a larger number than the real number.
Despite appeals, some people won't have checked in with their families to say they are safe and will currently be listed as missing.
I have also heard no confirmation that the final number is eight.
That number won't be confirmed until all the rubble is painstakingly searched.
It is not a clear cut situation.
The police will have appointed a Senior Identification Manager (SIM) with a very distinct role from the well known Senior Investigating Officer (SIO) who investigates the incident.
The job of the SIM is to co-ordinate body recovery, mortuary arrangements, and identification procedure.
An Identification Commission will have been set up which will include the SIM, the procurator fiscal, a pathologist, odontologist, and forensic support.
They look at all the identification evidence available to determine if identification has been established.
I have no doubt that, regrettably, because of problems in accessing and recovering the bodies they will not have all the evidence they really need, which would include visual identification, fingerprints, dental records, DNA, supplemented by things such as personal effects, clothing, scars, tattoos and the like.
It's easy to ask for patience, but also easy to understand the distress the time it is taking is causing. I know the authorities will be working as quickly as humanly possible.
I am also sure the families of potential victims will be having the challenges and procedures explained to them, notably by Family Liaison Officers who will be attached to every family will provide as much information and support as they can.
Finally, my own commiserations to all the families involved in this tragedy.
Monday 2 December 2013
http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/the-clutha-tragedy-identification-will-take-time-144126n.22846505
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