engleski

Identification of Skeletal Remains from the Mass Graves: Experience and Prospectives

Identification of human remains found in mass graves employs different methods: identification of remains by a living person who knew the decedent by direct facial recognition, fingerprint analysis, dentition analysis, identification of special features such as individual scars or tattoos, recognition of clothing and belongings, autopsy findings, the analysis of skeletal remains by forensic anthropologists to estimate the species of the remains, sex, age, race etc. For years now, different methods of forensic DNA testing (known as DNA fingerprinting) have been widely established and accepted as the standard procedure in various investigations. Significant efforts were and are currently underway to identify missing individuals discovered in hundreds of mass graves situated throughout this region. For the first time our countries were confronted by the difficult task of applying DNA technology to such cases. Furthermore, our achievements in this preliminary phase were used as a successful model for future activities in DNA identification of WWII victims. Since 60 years long time period from the end of the WWII, DNA analysis became the only solution in identification of victims' remains from that time. Initially, standard STR kits were successfully used for obtaining this goal. But, in some cases both of those kits could not provide us any useful information. In those cases the most recent concept of miniSTR kits were upgraded the analysis of DNA from old bones and teeth. Still, there is always more to learn, especially when forensic science is moving forward so fast with automated equipment and emergent multiplex technology.

DNA identification; skeletal remains; mass graves

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