Reburial of mass graves: a study of the resulting disturved remains

Abstract

Studies conducted in relation to forensic anthropology often involve the exhumation and analysis of graves with only a single burial (Cross and Simmons 2010; Mann et al., 1990; Megyesi et al., 2005). As the focus upon human rights violations investigations increases in the field of forensic anthropology, new approaches for studying mass graves are needed (Komar, 2003). This study will investigate the effects of re-interments on remains in mass graves and how this information may aid investigators when pursuing information about war crimes and human rights violations around the world. It is up to the forensic anthropologist to gather the evidence found at a mass grave and be able to identify key information, including whether or not the remains had been moved from another location (Jessee and Skinner, 2005). The intent of this study is to investigate how trauma on remains found in mass graves can provide the basis for determining whether or not remains have been moved from a previous interment.