Forensic experts to advise on missing persons

The Committee on Missing Persons, charged with locating people who went missing during the intercommunal strife, has accepted a recommendation by INFORCE Foundation, to send to Nicosia an experienced forensic anthropologist to give advice on the requirements for a forensic anthropological laboratory to be located in the buffer zone.

The CMP held its 398th meeting today with the participation of Professor Margaret Cox, Executive Director of INFORCE who was invited by the CMP to participate in a survey of burial sites on both sides, on 17 and 18 May 2005.

“It should be noted that for the first time a joint team of Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots participated in a survey on the entire territory of the Island,” a CMP press release notes.

It added that during the meeting Professor Cox recommended that INFORCE should send a forensic expert to assess what is required and oversee the process of emergency exhumations of burial sites at risk of damage or destruction through development and other land use. This will ensure that such exhumation works are undertaken to international standards as set out in the INFORCE protocols, as appropriate.

Professor Cox also recommended that INFORCE should send an experienced forensic anthropologist to advise the CMP on the requirements for a forensic anthropological laboratory to be located in the buffer zone and “her recommendations have been accepted by the CMP.”

The next CMP meeting is scheduled to take place on Thursday 26 May 2005.