Currently, Ukraine has sufficient capacity to conduct body identification research independently and without involving international experts.
This was reported by Ruslan Abbasov, Deputy Director of the State Scientific-Research Expert-Criminalistic Center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, according to the Communication Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.
“There is currently enough capacity in the country to conduct body identification research independently and without involving international experts. There are enough experts, all technologies are available, and equipment and laboratories exist in almost every region and various agencies,” he said.
According to Abbasov, international partners assist with equipment or consumables if necessary.
Separately, the Deputy Director of State Scientific-Research Expert-Criminalistic Center explained that the duration of research depends on the condition of the body. In cases where the body cannot be identified by other methods, the DNA test conclusion is decisive for identification.
Abbasov informed that the length of identification for each person also depends on the number of bodies repatriated and requiring examination. Usually, the identification process takes from several weeks to several months.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs representative also said that relatives can provide DNA samples at the stage when a servicemember is missing or when there is information about their death but the body has not yet been returned to relatives.
For this, relatives need to contact pre-trial investigation authorities. The information from the applicant will be entered into the Pre-trial Investigation Register, which will start the process of locating the servicemember or identifying the body.
If relatives cannot do this, such an application is made by the military unit or recruitment subdivisions.
