Our Mission

ETAF believes in the importance of teamwork and knows from experience that well-trained, multidisciplinary teams offer the most efficient forensic response to disasters. Therefore, the training of multidisciplinary teams is at the top of ETAF’s priorities.

In addition, inter-team and inter-agency cooperation is required. Teams need to work smoothly together and next to one another. Agencies must coherently share the work and complement each other. Fast and clear communication channels between all parties involved are an essential part of a quality response.

Internationally recognised Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) or Protocols are the common language in forensics from all countries.  Theoretical knowledge alone is not sufficient as the instant implementation and application of agreed procedures makes the difference. Proper documentation, storage, and, where applicable, sharing of information according to the internationally recognised standards are another important element. This requires initial as well as refresher training sessions for all specialist groups at different levels. 

A number of existing international trainings convey basic knowledge of different standards and processes. Most often these trainings are limited to workflows in particular sub-areas, such as police, rescue forces or forensic medicine, the latter with dummies.

ETAF offers team training for all specialist subgroups involved in response to natural or man-made disaster. It uses both dummies and human donators. This allows training of all scientifically recognised primary identification techniques at an unprecedented level of realism. DVI workflow from recovery to reconciliation can be acquired in close-to-reality conditions by teams, or groups of teams, coming from various agency backgrounds.

The expertise of our training staff reflects ETAF’s multidisciplinary, pragmatic, and holistic approach.  It covers odontology, dactyloscopy, DNA, pathology, anthropology, law enforcement and family liaison.

Training programs can take place at a fully equipped facility in Germany, or in the country concerned. 

On-site training offers the possibility to adapt to local conditions and needs as well as to meet legal, cultural, and religious requirements, while guaranteeing the abidance by international standards. 

Training can also be provided during disaster responses. In these cases, ETAF trainers work next to their peers of national teams and, thus, combine additional work force with guidance and peer-to-peer exchanges while  being fully operational.

In all these circumstances, ETAF endeavours to tailor internationally recognized best practices realistically to the working environment of national teams. 

Another option is the deployment of ETAF's own multidisciplinary forensic teams to disaster sites, able to cover the entire forensic workflow.

These various options can be combined.