A fingerprint specialist examines the fingerprints of a tsunami victim in Phuket of Thailand, Jan. 11, 2005. (Xinhua Photo)

A forensic expert examines a film of the teeth of a tsunami victim in Phuket of Thailand, Jan. 11, 2005. The Disaster Victims Identification Information Management Center officially started its operation here on Tuesday. (Xinhua Photo)

The Disaster Victims Identification Information Management Center officially started its operation here Tuesday.

According to the chief of the center, commander of Australia New South Wales Police Jeff Emery, there were about 60 people from over 20 countries working at the center to assist in the victims identification work.

They include pathologists, dentists, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)specialists and fingerprint specialists etc. who do matching of the post-mortem specimen of the victims and the information of them provided by their kins.

Emery said the identification progress depends on the speed of collection of the victims' information from around the world, and the quality of the post-mortem specimen.

The center has got the world's best and latest technology and the staff are very hopeful of some success shortly, said Emery.