Statistics

OMPF Statistics Explained (Statistics table - PDF Format)

Consolidated List of Missing Persons

Information about missing persons who disappeared in Kosovo as a result of the hostilities and aftermath of the conflict is consolidated in a database. Data is combined from a variety of sources including: UNMIK bodies, The Council for the Defence of Human Rights and Freedom (CDHRF), Coordination Centre for Kosovo and Metohija (CCKiM), International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP), International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), family associations and local community representatives.

A person is defined as missing if the family members do not know the fate or whereabouts of their missing family member, or know the person was killed but do not know the whereabouts of the mortal remains.

The number of closed files refers to the number of missing persons where the investigation has been completed. A case is closed if:

· The person is located alive
· The mortal remains of the missing person are returned to the family
· There are no details of the missing person on file, and the family concerned cannot be reached or is unwilling to provide the necessary details
· Duplicate cases (one case remains open)
· New - a person when missing in circumstances unconnected to the hostilities or the aftermath – recent missing cases.

Figures are derived from the CLMP (Previously named BDMP) database. The consolidated list is issued every four to six weeks. UNMIK Police Missing Persons Unit (MPU) stores live data in an ante-mortem/post-mortem tracking database.

Exhumations

Exhumation figures refer to the number of sets of recovered mortal remains. The number is divided into complete and incomplete mortal remains and the total exhumed is the sum of these figures.

This does not include bodies exhumed after identification for return to the family.

Identifications

Identification numbers refer to the previously unidentified mortal remains, which have been identified through the application of stringent forensic methodology. Identification techniques involve the comparison of the following: age, sex, height, old injuries, dental records, clothing, artifact details and the circumstances of disappearance. DNA analysis between the bones of the unidentified and the blood of surviving family members can also be included.

The identification figures comprise new or outstanding identifications from the inception of OMPF. This figure does not include cases where identity from DNA results for previously identified and returned mortal remains has been confirmed. The exclusion of these figures means that the number of identifications will always be smaller than the number of positive DNA results.

The total number of identified mortal remains refers to the number of missing persons that have been identified, as opposed to the number of mortal remains that have been identified. The former number is smaller as, on occasion, the circumstances of death may have lead to the disassociation of the body into a number of incomplete sets of human remains.

The total number is divided into two categories: those returned or reunited with their family, and those who are still awaiting return. The latter includes identifications where the family has requested waiting for additional family members to be identified prior to receiving the body as well as cases where the family is still in the process of being notified and arranging handover.

The remains that have been identified and reunited with their family are considered closed. These figures are split into Albanian and non-Albanian. In addition, the figures are also divided into internal returns, cross boundary returns from Serbia into Kosovo and cross boundary from Kosovo into Serbia.

ICMP/DNA

The International Commission of Missing Persons (ICMP) has responsibility for the DNA analysis of samples taken from the unidentified human remains and the blood of surviving family members in order to process identifications. Once a conclusive match or exclusion has been established, ICMP then submits a DNA analysis report to OMPF.

The number of results issued to OMPF gives the number of DNA analysis reports. This figure includes negative results (DNA reports which exclude identity) and duplicate DNA results (equivalent to previously received DNA reports.). This number reflects the DNA results received in Kosovo for which OMPF has submitted bones samples, i.e. it does not include DNA results received by CCKiM.

The number of positive DNA reports confirms that the DNA samples match the DNA of surviving family members. The DNA result only gives a presumptive identification. A full forensic comparison has to be completed by OMPF/MPU in order to confirm identity. In addition, it may be necessary to contact family members to establish the identity of a missing person if the DNA results imply a possibility of a siblinghood case; for example, a case where two sons from the same family are missing.

The OMPF/MPU identification team establishes identity both through traditional methods and through DNA generated presumptive identifications.

Traditional identification techniques involve the comparison of age, sex, height, old injuries, dental records, clothing, artefact details. The circumstances of a missing person’s disappearance and the unidentified or presumptively identified mortal remains are also taken into consideration.

Initial presumptive identification comes from a variety of sources:

· Recognition of clothing or artefacts by family members
· Medical and dental records
· Circumstances of disappearance
· Old injuries
· Artefacts located on the body

A unique or a number of unique identifying features (with no conflicting information) must be determined to conclusively establish an identity when relying on traditional identification techniques. A conclusive identity is established using this method and the family may also wish to substantiate this by requesting DNA testing.

If traditional identification leads to a presumptive identification but there is insufficient corresponding or unique identifying features between the mortal remains and the missing person to conclusively establish identity, OMPF/MPU will make a presumptive identification and submit this to ICMP for DNA testing. The procedure is the same for cases of presumptive identities with conflicting details. The resulting DNA report should then confirm or exclude the identity.

DNA testing can be requested by the family to establish a presumptive identity in cases where traditional identification techniques potentially exclude the identification, (ie there are conflicting details).

ICMP create DNA generated presumptive identifications by comparing their DNA database of missing persons against a DNA database of unidentified human remains.

Positive DNA reports are divided into two categories: positive results corroborating traditional identifications and DNA generated presumptive identifications. The former includes DNA reports for bodies that have previously been identified and returned to the family.

Figures for ICMP/DNA also show the number of outstanding presumptive identities that have been submitted to ICMP for testing. These are cases for which DNA reports confirming or excluding the identity have not yet been received.

The outstanding presumptive identities are split into two categories:

Presumptive Identity

An identity specifically linking a missing person with a particular set of mortal remains.

Group Identity

There is good reason to believe a missing person is to be found in a particular set of bodies but there is insufficient information to link that person to a particular set of mortal remains. Group presumptives are normally associated with a gravesite. Usually they cover 4-20 people who were known to have disappeared at the same time as identified cases and were found in a gravesite with a similar number of unidentified bodies.