University of Newcastle forensic dentist provides assistance in disaster victim identification
Internationally recognised forensic dentist Dr Jane Taylor from the University of Newcastle has been called to Victoria to provide her expert assistance in disaster victim identification.
Dr Taylor is a leader in her field of dental identification, lending her expertise in Bali after the 2002 bombing and in Thailand following the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.
Dr Taylor said the Australian Society of Forensic Odontology had asked her to be part of the massive medical effort underway in Victoria.
"The bushfires in Victoria represent for Australia the single greatest loss of human life during peace-time, and from a natural disaster," she said.
"This deployment will be challenging and heartbreaking, but nothing compared to what these people have been through. I hope my work can assist the many grieving families as they try to recover."
Dr Taylor has been a dentist for 25 years and is currently a senior lecturer in oral health at the University of Newcastle's Central Coast campus. The University is supporting her over the coming months while she assists the recovery effort.
Dr Taylor is also a Visiting Dental Officer with Sydney South West Area Health Service and assists in forensic odontology at the Glebe and Newcastle mortuaries.
Defence Minister, the Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP, who toured the bushfire ravaged areas on Tuesday welcomed Dr Taylor's contribution and thanked the University of Newcastle for supporting her participation.
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