Forensic Trends in Forensic Anthropological Humanitarian Action

Abstract

The recent application of the anthropological sciences to forensic humanitarian action have made it necessary to develop methodologies and constitute multi-disciplinary teams that should take into account the availability of experts, the collaboration of the family, the time limits and the given political context in which it operates. The entry into a team of a “forensic anthropologist” with knowledge of archaeology is important and common practice, also for the fundamental role in the finding of adequate samples for successive and innovative bio-molecular analysis (DNA analysis), aimed at the identification of the person and post-mortem interval estimation, subject to the costs and the availability of certified laboratories. The future success of forensic humanitarian action thus entails the constitution of teams dedicated to particular countries, capable of supporting the contribution provided by universally credited international scientific organizations.