Mass grave investigation and identifying missing persons: Challenges and innovations in archaeology and anthropology in the context of mass death environments

Pages: 491-514

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-40199-7_31

Abstract:

There has been widespread application of archaeological and anthropological methods to finding the Missing for several decades, with many examples known of mass death investigation after war crimes and crimes against humanity. This chapter asks what we have achieved and what more can be done. The problems and challenges faced in undertaking investigation of mass graves and examination of skeletonized remains are critically examined and discussed. Considerations, approaches, and processes to aid investigations to achieve objectives are presented that may improve our rates of finding the missing, achieving formal identification, and providing evidence of mass death events.

Source: Scopus

Mass Grave Investigation and Identifying Missing Persons: challenges and innovations in archaeology and anthropology in the context of mass death environments

Authors: Hanson

Publisher: Springer

Abstract:

This chapter, based on the authors 20 years of experience as an archaeologist, outlines approaches taken to investigations, addresses several problems facing the undertaking of the work involved in finding missing persons, and suggests processes to consider how to successfully find and recover missing persons who have been disposed of in mass graves.

Source: Manual