Constructing Forensic Evidence for International Criminal Trials Legal, Social and Scientific Approaches International and Comparative Criminal Justice Series
Auteur : O’Brien Éadaoin
This book fills a significant gap in the literature by outlining a legal framework for international forensic investigations. It focuses particularly on mass grave exhumations, and explores the important role that has been played by forensic experts in the prosecution of core international crimes. The work examines the place of forensic exhumations in a number of key international criminal tribunals. It traces the role of forensic science in the international arena from the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg, where it was peripheral, to its evolution as a critical part of accountability mechanisms, as demonstrated by the forensic programmes undertaken by the International Criminal Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda. This interdisciplinary study explores how strong, and how constrained, the legal framework is when addressing the question of forensic science where there are allegations of mass atrocities and raises important issues that are not sufficiently addressed by the existing framework.
Preface
Glossary
Acknowledgements
Introduction
A. The Exhumation of Mass Graves in an International Criminal Justice Context
B. The Purpose of Forensic Evidence for International Criminal Trials
C. Aims, Core Questions and Structure of book.
Chapter 1: "We are the Dead": Legal Obligations Relating to Finding, Burying and Exhuming the Deceased following Armed Conflict
Introduction
A. Locating the Dead: Forensic Investigations of Atrocity Crimes
B. Caring for the Dead: The Importance of Customs and Rules Pertaining to the Dead and their Relevance in Times of Armed Conflict
C. International Humanitarian Law and Obligations to the Dead
(1) The Geneva Conventions of 1906 and 1929
(2) The Geneva Conventions of 1949 and the Additional Protocols of 1977
(3) Customary International Humanitarian Law Rules on the Dead
D. The Geneva Conventions and Protocols and Reference to Exhumations
E. International Standards on Forensic Investigations of Violations of International Human Rights and Humanitarian Law
F. Conclusion
Chapter 2: The Construction of Forensic Evidence Through the Exhumation of Mass Graves
Introduction
A. Defining Mass Grave
B. Locating Mass Graves for Evidential Purposes
C. Mass Grave Exhumation and Excavation
(1) Forensic Expertise
(2) Management of the Investigation
(3) Recording of Forensic Evidence
D. Forensic Evidence in the International Criminal Trial
(1) The Expert Witness
(2) The Admission of Evidence
E. Conclusion
Additional chapter sections to be added during revision:
Ethical concerns in international forensic investigations
Normative developments in international human rights law pertaining to the treatment of conflict dead
Chapter 3: Nascent Forensic Investigations of Core International Crimes: From Nuremberg to Buenos Aires
Introduction
A. The International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg and the Production of Forensic Evidence
(1) The Nature of Evidence Presented before the Nuremberg Tribunal
(2) Forensic ‘Evidence’: The Katyn Pretence
(3) "To pass these defendants a poisoned chalice is to put it to our own lips as well": Reflections on the Katyn Charge at Nuremberg
B. Further Post-War Medico-Legal Investigations: British Army War Crimes Group and the Subsequent Proceedings at Nuremberg
C. Enforced Disappearances and the re-emergence of Forensic Investigations in a Human Rights Context
(1) Enforced Disappearances
(2) Exhumation of Mass Graves in a Human Rights Context: the Emergence of Contemporaneous Practice
D. Conclusion
Chapter 4: The Balkan Conflict: Forensic Investigations by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia
Introduction
A. Preliminary Investigations: Investigating Atrocity Crimes in the Former Yugoslavia
(1) The Use of Forensic Expertise by the Yugoslav Commission of Experts
B. Forensic Investigations Conducted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia
(1) Prosecutorial Strategy and Forensic Investigations
(2) The Forensic Programme
(3) The Scope and Scale of Site Excavation
C. Synergising Forensic Investigations with Humanitarian Mandates
D. Conclusion
Chapter 5: The Rwandan Genocide: The Role of Forensic Exhumations at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda
Introduction
A. Investigating Atrocity Crimes in Rwanda: United Nations Special Rapporteur Reports and the Enquiries of the Commission of Experts Established Pursuant to Security Council Resolution 935
(1) Field Mission by the Special Rapporteur for Extrajudicial, Summary or Arbitrary Executions
(2) Field Mission by the Special Rapporteur of the Commission on Human Rights
(3) The Rwandan Commission of Experts Established Pursuant to Security Council Resolution 935
B. Forensic Investigations conducted by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda
(1) Forensic Investigations in the Kibuye Province
(2) Forensic Investigations in Kigali
C. Why was Forensic Evidence not used more extensively by the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda?
(1) Opposition from the Rwandan Government and the Prioritisation of Memorialisation
(2) Security and Financial Concerns
(3) Vast Number of Deceased Impeded the Execution of an Extensive Forensic Programme
(4) Prosecutorial Strategy
(5) Murders were not clandestine
D. Conclusion
Conclusion
Future directions in international forensic investigations
Bibliography
Table of Cases
Date de parution : 01-2021
15.6x23.4 cm
Disponible chez l'éditeur (délai d'approvisionnement : 14 jours).
Prix indicatif 137,56 €
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