Humanitarian forensics: Advancing justice, accountability, and human rights

Humanitarian forensics is an expanding multidisciplinary field that uses forensic science to support humanitarian operations in post-conflict, catastrophe, and human-rights contexts. This commentary underscores the pivotal importance of forensic methodologies in the identification of victims, investigation of human rights violations, and pursuit of justice and accountability in mass atrocities and war crimes. It also elucidates, with examples, the significance of forensic methodologies in disaster victim identification, international tribunal prosecutions, and providing resolution to families of missing persons. The evolution of humanitarian forensics is examined, from initial applications during World War II to the establishment of protocols by international organisations. Suggestions are offered for improving forensic capability, interdisciplinary cooperation, and incorporating developing technologies. Ethical and logistical issues, including cultural sensitivity, data management, and the balancing of legal and humanitarian goals are examined. Humanitarian forensics plays a vital role in upholding international humanitarian law and advancing peace, justice, and healing after major global disasters.