Mass identification of persons missing from the break-up of the former Yugoslavia: Structure, function, and role of the International Commission on Missing Persons

The staff of the international Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) is atte mpting to undertake the largest mass human identification effort in history . Through the generosity of numerous governmental and private corporations the ICMP has established or is currently establishing a strong network of p olitical allies, family outreach centers, and DNA laboratories throughout t he former Yugoslavia. Furthermore, the ICMP is currently working to streaml ine current technology as well as employ new technology in its efforts to a ssist in identifying missing individuals. ICMP will continue to act as a I ink between the family associations in the region and will synchronize the work of the DNA identification process in the countries affected by the war in the regions of the former Yugoslavia. In the longer term, ICMP seeks to contribute to the closure of the missing persons issue, to raise awareness of the human dimension of the missing persons tragedy, and to preserve a s hared and common memory of the missing in the former Yugoslavia.