ICMP chief: DNA analysis key in identifying missing persons “As remains often buried in multiple locations”

DNA analysis is necessary for the identification of missing persons, as the remains of a single person can often be buried in five different locations during conflicts, Director-General of the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP), Kathryne Bomberger, has said.

She made the remarks while speaking at the international conference “Uniting Efforts and Expanding Cooperation to Address the Issue of Missing Persons” in Baku on October 9, Caliber.Az reports, citing local media.

Along with DNA analysis, Bomberger emphasised the importance of interagency cooperation, and working with families to determine the fate of missing persons.

“Cooperation with the families of missing persons is a key condition for determining their fate. The second important factor is interagency cooperation. It must be implemented both at the local and international levels. Cooperation with technical organisations is also vital because technology greatly assists us. Alongside this, genetic research is of great importance,” she said. 

Referring to the signing of the peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia in Washington, Bomberger noted that this is also highly significant for clarifying the fate of missing persons: “Article 9 of the joint declaration is dedicated to the issue of missing persons, which represents a very important step forward for future activities.” 

Bomberger also highlighted that the majority of missing persons during migration worldwide are men, and the overall number of missing persons has been rising in recent years: “The number of armed conflicts has reached record levels. The number of migrants is also increasing. One billion people have changed their place of residence, with more than 70,000 going missing as a result of migration. In Syria, this figure has exceeded 200,000, and in Mexico and Colombia — 100,000 each,” she added.

By Khagan Isayev