Justice to the unidentified : the importance of forensic examinations in mass graves for victim identification

Abstract

Mass graves serve as unsettling reminders of both natural and man-made disasters, quietly displaying violence, the strain they cause, and the loss of multiple lives. Although mass graves contain remains of the deceased, it is society’s responsibility to identify these unidentified victims and restore justice to them. Justice could be achieved through the process of Victim Identification. Indeed, this dissertation sought to comprehend the significance of forensic examinations to identify victims of mass graves and to determine the overall effect of successful victim identification. In this study, a qualitative methodology was employed utilising semi-structured interviews with five professionals. The findings showed that a thorough mass grave site examination ensures that all forensic evidence is gathered, beginning with site localisation, and progressing to excavation and extraction of human remains. Findings from this study determined that the careful excavation techniques, the allocation of numbers on-site, the chain of custody and the use of PPE, are crucial for post-mortem examinations. The results also addressed the human and natural errors that can be encountered during on-site analysis. DNA analysis was found to be the most reliable technique for victim identification, and tattoos and bone examinations were also mentioned. The findings illustrated that dental records are the best AM data for identification. For mass grave victims to be identified, the reconciliation phase was demonstrated to be essential. The findings of this research further revealed that proper forensic examinations serve justice to the victims who have been identified, justice to the missing person’s relatives, and justice in criminal proceedings.