Radiographers recognised for bomb victim work
 The national media has praised radiographers for the ‘invaluable’ role they have played in helping to treat victims of the London bombings that took place on 11 July, as well as the forensic radiographers who have been key in identifying the dead.
The SoR received a message from the CEO of the American Society of Radiological Technologists who says: "On behalf of the ASRT I would like to extend my condolences to your members and your countrymen. I suspect some of your people had to treat the victims of the catastrophe. I'm sure that they did so with compassion, professionalism and fortitude."
In a letter to unions, Brendan Barber, the Trades Union Congress's general secretary comments, "Messages of solidarity and support have been flowing into the TUC from sister trade union organisations from many parts of the world. Workers in all the emergency services are, again, doing outstanding and courageous work in rescuing and caring for the victims of these attacks."
Some of the dead were so badly disfigured that the only way to identify them has been through forensic radiography techniques. In some instances, there are only body-parts to work with.
A piece on the BBC News website highlighted the work of forensic radiographers Mark Viner and Kim Hutchings. Kim was quoted as saying: “Radiographers are a key part of the identification and autopsy process. It is possible to identify people by matching X-rays to the X-ray films they had done in life. The team would identify any previous distinguishing marks, pathology or injury, such as previous fractures, dental work or surgery, so that the pathologist could identify them."
Members of the Association of Forensic Radiographers co-ordinated the deployment of radiographers and equipment for the emergency mortuary initiated as part of the London Resilience Mass Fatality Plan.
Mark Viner says, "We were able to mobilise staff and equipment within 12 hours of receiving a request from the Home Office and were fully operational with a team of eight radiographers, three image intensifiers, plain film and dental x-ray by Saturday lunchtime.
"We would like to thank all of those who have volunteered their time or equipment. We would particularly like to thank managers and superintendents who have released staff to assist with this incident, and also their colleagues who have been covering for them," he added.
Richard Evans, the SoR’s chief executive, added his thoughts about the contributions made by members: "What has been clear from the first is the extraordinary response and fortitude of people caught up in the events and the skill and efficiency of those who had to deal with the effects. We all know how essential a role radiography plays in major incident management and how radiographers will have had to work in very stressful and disturbing circumstances. All of us in the Society really appreciate the work that those radiographers did and want to express our thanks to them all."
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