Media Room: Defence Alert

MEDIA OPPORTUNITY REGARDING ‘UNKNOWN SAILOR’

FROM CHRISTMAS ISLAND

What:             Two members of the archaeological expedition team will give a presentation on the progress to date in relation to the search, excavation and repatriation of the remains of the ‘unknown sailor’ thought to be a crew member from the HMAS Sydney (II).  The process for analysing and possibly identifying the remains will also be outlined. 

When:            1:15pm on Thursday 26 October 2006.

Where:           R1 Theatrette, Russell Offices, Canberra.

Who:              The expedition team leader, Captain Jim Parsons, and one of the team’s forensic odontologists, Commander Matthew Blenkin, will provide the progress to date and outline the forensic process.

Background Information

The analysis and identification process of the remains has only just commenced and is expected to take at least eight weeks, excluding DNA analysis if possible.  While this media opportunity will outline the analysis and identification process, no conclusive findings will be released at this time, as this information is not yet available. 

At this media opportunity, media outlets may interview two members of the Navy-led expedition team to obtain their specialist perspective.  No other interview requests will be accommodated outside of this media opportunity until the remainder of the analysis and identification process has been completed. 

Media Contact:

Defence Media Liaison          (02) 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664

For a free subscription to Defence Direct, the Minister for Defence's monthly e-newsletter, please follow this link:

http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/defencedirect/spt/subscribe.html