A single centre for the identification of unidentified persons who died as a result of Russia’s armed aggression is ready to begin work. This is Ukraine’s first specialised institution of this level, where examinations will be conducted in the most complex cases, in particular those involving repatriated persons and those who died during combat operations.
The institution was created in accordance with modern standards of forensic medical examination and will be part of a single state system under the control of the Ministry of Health. Its main task is to strengthen the state’s capabilities to identify the deceased, ensure the accuracy of examinations, and guarantee appropriate working conditions for investigators, forensic scientists, police specialists, and forensic medical experts.
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According to Deputy Minister of Health Ihor Kopach, the opening of the centre will be an important step in the development of the national forensic research system. The premises will provide permanent workplaces for representatives of the National Police, the State Scientific and Research Expert-Criminalistic Centre, and the Office of the Commissioner for Missing Persons. Conditions have also been created for the work of international organisations, including the International Commission on Missing Persons and the ICRC.
The centre will become a platform for joint work between Ukrainian and international experts. Such cooperation will provide access to the best international practices in the field of identification and will allow for comprehensive research in cases that require the highest level of accuracy.
The creation of the centre is taking place in parallel with the reform of the forensic medical examination system. The Ministry of Health has completed the reorganisation of regional forensic medical examination bureaus into a single network of state institutions. This makes it possible to distribute the workload evenly between regions and involve more specialists in conducting examinations.
The launch of the National Identification Centre strengthens the state’s ability to identify the deceased and restore their names with due respect.
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