Case study: Mass grave protocols

After the war in Ukraine and the subsequent reports of war crimes and the digging of mass graves, work by BU academics is forming a crucial part of the international response to investigating the alleged atrocities.

Dr Melanie Klinkner, Professor of International Law at BU, and Dr Ellie Smith led the development of the Bournemouth Protocol on Mass Grave Protection and Investigation in 2021. Published in partnership with the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP), it brings together legal rules and informed best practice to support those protecting and investigating mass grave sites. By providing a legal definition of mass grave and bringing together various branches of international law, the protocol will play a significant role in helping those investigating the sites to gather the evidence they need to bring the perpetrators to justice.