Investigators face a stash of complications in trying to identify those caught up in London's horror fire, a forensics expert is warning.
Peter Vanezis, who is professor of forensic medical sciences at Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, said on Thursday difficulties in locating the bodies among the charred remains will likely provide the first hurdle for detectives.
At least 17 people are dead after Grenfell Towers in west London was engulfed in flames early on Wednesday morning.
Metropolitan Police Commander Stuart Cundy said some victims may remain unidentified and warned the process will likely take "a considerable period of time".
The condition of bodies - left inside the burning 24-storey tower block for more than 24 hours before the blaze was extinguished - will also present added challenges as relatives wait for news on their loved ones.
"Identification may take some weeks or even months in some cases because of the state of some of the remains and families need to be updated as to progress on a regular basis and supported at all times," Professor Vanezis said.
"Furthermore it will probably be some time before all victims are located due to the sheer difficulty of fire fighters working in a building which is unsafe and will require a meticulous search of the debris.
"Most deaths in enclosed house fire are unconscious or dead from inhalation of carbon monoxide and other fire fumes before burning of the body occurs."
One of the first victims has been named as 23-year-old Syrian refugee Mohammed Alhajali.
Share
