1 December 2011

EULEX forensic experts from the Department of Forensic Medicine (DFM) plan to assess more than thirty potential sites in the upcoming year as a part of their continued search for missing people from the Kosovo conflict and its aftermath.

The Department plans to conduct site assessments and exhumations in the regions of Gjakovë/Ðakovica, Pejë/Peć, Klinë/Klina, Prizren/Prizren, Mitrovicë/Mitrovica, Skënderaj/Srbica, and Podujevë/Podujevo.

“Our forensic experts will continue to work intensively on the site assessments, exhumations, autopsies and identification work. Next year you will also see the local DFM Exhumations Team working more intensively in the field” said Alan Robinson EULEX Co-Head of the Department of Forensic Medicine.

DFM will continue to liaise with relevant authorities for alleged sites outside Kosovo.

In the coming year it is also hoped that the case review of unidentified remains held in DFM will reach its conclusion. This case review project has taken more than two years of intensive investigation and has produced more than thirty new identifications. For the next year, eighty-five more cases will be reviewed.

“We cannot anticipate the results, but DFM is hopeful that more identifications will be made” Robinson said.

In 2012, EULEX will also continue to support the modernization of forensic medicine in Kosovo, working closely with local forensic doctors and other specialists. Alan Robinson concluded that significant progress has been made in this field.

“Next year our work will focus on consolidating the achievements of our local counter-parts. A strong judiciary needs a strong and sustainable forensic medicine service. We are striving to achieve this together” Robinson said.