1 Introduction and context

The development of this book exploring the establishment of protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs) contributes towards the creation of an adopted suite of methodologies and helps ensure a consistent and appropriate quality of process and practice. The protocols and SOPs discussed here are specifically developed for application to the scientific investigation of crime scenes, particularly to sites of the deposition of multiple human remains (e.g. mass graves1 and surface and other deposition sites). They are designed to guide standards and approaches that can be used to satisfy both judicial and humanitarian needs resulting from the multilayered legacies of such heinous crimes as genocidal massacres, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and mass murder. Much that is contained herein can also be applied or adapted to the recovery and identification of individuals who have died as a consequence of recently occurring mass fatalities, whether they relate to terrorist attacks (e.g. 9/11, the Bali bombings), natural disasters (e.g. the Asian tsunami), or other disasters (e.g., aeroplane or train crashes, fires in enclosed spaces). It is our intention that by adopting and applying these protocols and the underpinning SOPs, any team of experienced and qualified forensic scientists and scene of crime examiners (SCEs) can investigate an alleged incident to an acceptable and agreed standard. Our aim is to establish processes and methodologies that are of a high enough standard to satisfy the evidentiary requirements of any court or judicial process, whether international, national, or local, and to satisfy the humanitarian