
In a harrowing incident on October 23, 2019, that shook the world, the lifeless bodies of 39 Vietnamese nationals were discovered inside a sealed trailer on a truck. With no identification on the victims, the task to unravel their identities fell on the dedicated shoulders of the investigators, confronting an intricately challenging feat for the first time.
As the dawn broke that fateful day, Deidre Nowell, the casualty bureau manager for the Essex Police, had begun her commute when she was informed of the gruesome discovery in Grays, Essex. The trailer, originating from the Belgian port of Zeebrugge, brought with it a scene of horror that Nowell dubbed as ‘overwhelming’.
While crime detectives busied themselves in unraveling the incident and the culprits behind it, a team was deployed to the arduous task of victim identification. Presuming initially the victims were Chinese proved incorrect when a Vietnamese interpreter highlighted the probabilities of the deceased being of Vietnamese descent. His intuition turned out accurate as the progressing hours turned into days when it was confirmed – all victims hailed from Vietnam.
In response, the casualty bureau reorganized its operations, known as Operation Melrose, to accommodate the new revelations. The Major Incident Public Portal (MIPP) was established for the public to share information and expedite the identification process. Familiarizing with the regional differences was crucial, even going as far as installing a Vietnamese local time clock.
As the information started pouring in from victims’ families, significant breakthroughs were achieved despite encountering technical limitations like international calling and language barrier. They managed to devise solutions for every roadblock, enabling the identification unit to match the provided details with the available evidence.
This laborious application of analysis comingled with compassion led to the identification of the victims. The whiteboards, once filled with cryptic numerical references, soon began to echo the faces of the deceased. Whether it was a toothy grin or unique tattoos scribbled on skin, every fragmentary detail etched into existence the identities that were unjustly wiped out.
The process of identification was an emotional journey, reminiscent of an artist restoring a worn-out masterpiece. Each victim, carefully and diligently, was given back their names and their identities, etching their remembrance into the hearts of ones who cared.
The entire process took a span of approximately two weeks once the final identity was slotted in its rightful place on the wall. Every file was carefully prepared portraying a complete narrative of the victim and was signed off by the reconciliation manager, assessed by a senior manager and finally pitched to the Identification Commission headed by a coroner.
Emotions ran high as the team succeeded in restoring the identities of the dead victims. Driven with a sense of fulfillment, a wave of relief swept over the tired souls working relentlessly for weeks. But, the job was not over yet.
Fast forward to 2021, four men associated with the gruesome episode were brought to justice. More await their fate as justice grinds ahead with unwavering resilience, seeking answers for the lost souls and their families. The scars might never fade away, but the undying efforts of Essex Police ensure that the essence of the victims continues to live on.