How did the MH17 disaster change the life of an Aussie Federal Police officer?

AFP Assistant Commissioner Hilda Sirec was one of the first investigators to access the MH17 crash site in eastern Ukraine 10 years ago today. It was Hilda’s police training and skillset as a bomb technician which was instrumental in the collection of evidence that formed a major part of the criminal investigation and ultimately the successful criminal trial.

In this compelling BIG question episode Hilda shares her remarkable first-hand account of arriving at the MH17 crash site, and the challenges of working in an active conflict zone without conventional crime scene protocols. Hilda opens up about the enormous responsibility of finding the truth for the 298 victims and their families,  and the profound impact the disaster and investigation has had on her life. There is so much to learn from Hilda in this conversation about the importance of connection and expressing love to each other, as well as the need for perspective and self-care. 

CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains content that may be distressing for some listeners. If content in this podcast causes you any distress, please contact Lifeline for support on 13 11 14

LINKS:

If you'd like to know more about the recovery mission and the investigation of MH17, listen to Search Among the Sunflowers HERE or wherever you get your podcasts.

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CREDITS:
Host: Jessica Rowe
Guest: Hilda Sirec  Assistant Commissioner, Southern Command
Executive Producer: Nic McClure
Audio Producer: Nat Marshall 
Digital Content Producer: Zoe Panaretos

The Jess Rowe Big Talk Show acknowledges the Gadigal people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we recorded this podcast, and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples here today.

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