Missing people, DNA Analysis and Identification of Human Remains- a guide to best practice in armed conflicts and other situations of armed violence

The process of identifying human remains in the wake of a conflict may be subject to multiple constraints, security and lack of resources being the two most common and important of many. Such constraints may limit or even preclude the use of more sophisticated technologies. This document sets down guidelines for achieving best practice in the face of such constraints.

Most importantly, there are certain principles relating to standards of laboratory practice and to the protection of personal and genetic data which should be adhered to under all circumstances and these are outlined throughout this document.

This publication is intended to help anyone, whether a forensic scientist, a humanitarian aid worker, a member of a military peace support mission or a human rights advocate, to navigate some of the complexities of using DNA analysis to identify human remains.

Foreword

Acknowledgements

1. Introduction

2. DNA and the identification of human remains .

3. Using DNA analysis in a programme to identify multiple human
remains in the wake of an armed conflict or other situation of
armed violence

3.1 Preconditions
3.2 Other operational considerations

4. Technical aspects of collecting and storing DNA samples

5. Collecting reference samples for DNA analysis

6. Existing international, regional and domestic legal principles
relating to the protection of personal and genetic data

6.1 Overview
6.2 Protection of personal and genetic information: commonly accepted
principles