Identification of war victims in Croatia

Identification and analysis of human remains recovered from wells from the 1991 War in Croatia

From 1996 to the present, the remains of 61 individuals killed during the 1991 War in Croatia were recovered from both dried out and functioning wells. Positive identification was established in 60.7% or 37/61 cases. Remains recovered from the same geographical region but from non-well settings were identified in 77.4% or 1256/1623 cases. The purpose of this paper is to report on the taphonomic, demographic and trauma characteristics of remains recovered from wells and identify factors responsible for the discrepancy in the identification ratios. The age and sex distributions in the well and non-well series were similar, as were the frequencies of recovered personal documents, jewelry and other artifacts. The taphonomic features of the remains were, however, significantly different. Preservation of remains was considerably better in non-well settings (1400/1623 or 86.3% compared to 40/61 or 65.5% in wells). Congruently, commingling of remains was more frequent in wells (26/61 or 42.6% compared to 77/1623 or 4.7% in non-well settings). In bodies recovered from non-well settings the preservation, state and commingling of the remains were strongly correlated with positive identification. None of these features were correlated with the identification of bodies from wells. Instead, identification of remains from wells was significantly affected by the presence or absence of water in the well. As both series have similar frequencies, and identical rankings of identification factors, the reason for the discrepancy in the identification ratios lies in the fact that by themselves, these factors were rarely sufficient for positive identification. In both series the majority of identifications (51.4% in the well, and 58.1% in the non-well series) were established through a combination of biological and non-biological features. The significantly lower identification ratio in the well series resulted from the difficult recovery conditions in wells with significant amounts of water, and the negative effect that water had on the preservation of clothing, personal artifacts and some dental features. Significant differences were also noted in the types and locations of perimortem traumas. There is a significantly higher frequency of entrance gunshot wounds to the back of the head, suggestive of execution style murders, in the well series.

Identification of human remains: forensic radiology

The identification of human remains is of paramount importance in medicolegal investigations. The comparison of antemortem and postmortem radiographic records is one of the main techniques used to achieve a positive identification. The purpose of this paper is to present a comprehensive review of the use of roentgenography in forensic medicine with special emphasis on the nature of the radiographic markers often utilized for identification. Clinical radiologists should be aware of the importance of storing radiographs over prolonged periods of time and of efficient record keeping methods to enable prompt retrieval of X-ray films in mass disaster situations. Furthermore, because of his skills in radiographic evaluation, the radiologist's expertise might prove invaluable in forensic consultations.

Practical and legal aspects of forensic autopsy expert team operations

Finnish forensic experts have investigated remains of the victims of alleged mass violence in the former Yugoslavia in 1996 under the mandate of the United Nations, and in 1998 and 1999 under the mandate of the European Union. The investigative documents later were surrendered to the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY). The indictments issued by the ICTY include charges even against the highest authorities of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. This study describes the experience gained in organising forensic expert team operations in a foreign state by the Finnish team. The establishment and operation of a forensic expert team in a foreign state involve, among other things, legal issues, often related to differing legal systems. From an independent forensic expert team, great objectivity and self-constraint are expected. Moreover, a clear and sufficiently detailed agreement on the mandate of the team and on the possibility for unhindered and safe access of the experts to the alleged mass graves, as well as the assembling and briefing of the team members and provision of the necessary equipment should be completed before the beginning of the mission. Furthermore, the application of adequate and internationally recognised methods for processing and documenting the examination is essential for team's credibility.

Forensic osteological investigations in Kosovo

A team of Finnish forensic experts performed investigations of alleged mass graves in Kosovo under the mandate of the European Union (EU). Human skeletal remains from two locations were examined. The remains contained three almost complete skeletons, and individual bones and bone fragments, part of which were burned. Injuries, pathological changes, and findings for identification purposes were examined and documented using standard methods of forensic pathology and osteology. Gunshot injuries were found in some cases, but reliable determination of the cause and manner of death was not possible. A discrepancy arose between the number of victims reported in information received from the presiding district court, and results of the investigations. The estimation of the minimum number of victims was mostly acquired by DNA analysis.

Do medico-legal truths have more power than war lies? About the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia and in Kosovo

War crimes perpetrated during the conflicts in the former Yugoslavia and in Kosovo prompted medicolegal investigations of mass graves as required by the International Criminal Tribunal (ICT). In spite of natural and methodological boundaries, these investigations were able to help to identify the victims and to discover the clues and evidence that are likely to support objectively the indictments brought by the ICT. However, the medico-legal data cannot explain everything. They should be exploited very carefully in order to avoid any error of interpretation.

Radiology in forensic expert team operations

Radiological methods are widely used in forensic pathology. Their most common applications are in complementing human identification, particularly in investigations of mass disasters and decomposed bodies, and in searching for foreign material inside corpses. A team of Finnish forensic experts investigated human skeletal remains in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1996) and in Kosovo, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (1998). It also investigated more recently deceased victims in Kosovo (1999). In these investigations, the benefit of X-ray was in the detection of foreign material inside victims and their remains. For identification purposes, X-rays were mainly used to provide the best evidence possible of any pathological changes, physical characteristics, and injuries present.