20. Locating, Analyzing, and Renaming the Lost Soldiers

Abstract

Locating, Analyzing, and Renaming the Lost Soldiers

Mariah K. A. Wilson

Accepting the loss of a fallen soldier is an experience many families around the world have become accustomed to. They grieve the space that their son, daughter, wife, husband, mother, or father once filled. Recently developed forensic methods, such as forensic analysis, CBRN (chemical, Biological, radiological, and nuclear) forensics, and forensic investigation allow for special teams to locate and identify unnamed bodies, determine a soldier’s cause of death, and return them home, giving their family and friends a much-needed sense of closure. The tragedy of not knowing their loved one’s fate is now declining with the help of forensic science used in the military. However, while these forensic tools are known to be effective, they have not been widely adopted by the military, due to a number of factors. In order to improve the use of forensics for this purpose military personnel must be trained in the newest practices. This project explores secondary research on factors that inhibit forensic use for identify soldiers remains and proposes steps for overcoming those challenges.