It has been seven days since the crash of Germanwings flight 4U 9525, and, as yet, not one intact body has been found. This is of course to be expected as the plane was cruising at a good 700km/h when it was deliberately crashed into the side of a mountain in the Alps.

According to the head of the Criminal Research Institute at France’s National Gendarmerie, it would “take forensic teams between two and four months to complete the DNA identification process” of body parts found.

Some 78 different DNA profiles have been isolated so far from around 400 body parts, although none have been directly linked to the victims.

Family members have also been asked to provide the forensic teams with DNA samples (from toothbrushes for example) of family members on the plane to help the investigation.

There are fears that the body parts will begin to decompose with rising Spring temperatures.

To make matters worse, the 1 000 strong team has to keep wolves away from the area for fear of them eating body parts.

[Source: Sky News and IBT]