Progress Report
Collection of blood specimens from relatives of missing persons
The DNA samples from the relatives of the Greek Cypriot missing persons were already collected and DNA typed by the CING Laboratory of Forensic Genetics a few years ago. The collection of blood specimens from the relatives of the Turkish Cypriot missing persons and the extraction of DNA from these specimens to be used for DNA identification purposes ihas been conducted over the last years by the Turkish Cypriot DNA Laboratory at Dr. Burhan Nalbantoğlu Hospital in Nicosia. The DNA samples have then been transferred to the CING Laboratory of Forensic Genetics where the DNA typing is carried out.
The genetic profiles generated by the typing of the DNA from Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot relatives of missing persons are stored in appropriate electronic databases at the CING Laboratory of Forensic Genetics.
Exhumations
To date, the remains of 663 individuals have been exhumed from different burial sites located across the island.
Exhumations are carried out on both sides of the buffer zone by bi-communal teams made of over 40 Cypriot archaeologists and anthropologists. Bi-communal teams are now autonomous after having been trained by international experts from the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team (EAAF) during the first 18 months of the project.
CMP Anthropological Laboratory
The CMP anthropological laboratory, located within the United Nations Protected Area (Old Nicosia Airport), has been operational since August 2006. It is operating under the coordination of a bi-communal team of Cypriot anthropologists who have been trained by international forensic experts from the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team (EAAF) during the first two years of the project.
To date, the anthropological laboratory has analysed the remains of some 375 individuals in an attempt to reach presumptive identifications before bone samples are sent to the CING Laboratory of Forensic Genetics for DNA typing.
The Laboratory of Forensic Genetics of the Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics (CING LabFoG)
The CING Laboratory of Forensic Genetics has been operational since 1995. In April 2007, it was assigned the responsibility of identifying the skeletal remains exhumed under the auspices of the CMP by using DNA typing methodologies.
The typing of the DNA samples from the relatives of missing persons and the DNA identification of skeletal elements are carried out by a team consisting of Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot scientists. Genetic profiles generated by the analysis of DNA extracted from skeletal elements are compared with the genetic profiles of the relatives of missing persons to reveal individualized identifications.
The first skeletal specimens were submitted to the CING LabFoG by the CMP anthropological laboratory at the beginning of April 2007 and were identified by the end of June 2007.
Identification process
The positive and formal identification of the skeletal remains of a missing person is reached by the Scientific Reconciliation Team (SRT) consisting of the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot scientists working at the CING Laboratory of Forensic Genetics and at the CMP anthropological laboratory once the DNA identification process is conclusive and shows no contradiction with or is corroborated by the outcome of the anthropological analysis.
To date, 235 remains of individuals exhumed within the framework of the CMP project have been identified through this process (184 Greek Cypriots and 51 Turkish Cypriots).
Return of Remains of Missing Persons
The first positive identifications were reached at the end of June 2007.
The families concerned were notified of the death of their missing relatives and were offered the possibility to view the remains of their loved one at the CMP Family Viewing Facility. The remains of the identified individuals were then returned to them.
The arrangements for the funeral of identified individuals are made by their family with the financial and, if need be, practical support of the CMP.
A team of psychologists from each community provides psychosocial support to family members should they require or request it.
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- Quick Statistics (15 August 2010) - file format 'PDF' (43 Kb)
