39 forensic experts from Spain to join investigation of Russian war crimes in Ukraine

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Spain’s Ministry of Justice has announced that 39 forensic experts from different Spanish regions will be joining the investigations into alleged war crimes, genocide and crimes against humanity in Ukraine.

The group of experts in forensic and criminal investigation will be working with the Prosecutor’s Office of the International Criminal Court (ICC), the European Union and the Ukraine government.

The Ministry of Justice said in a statement that it will form a multidisciplinary team of forensic experts and other professionals to assist the ICC Prosecutor’s Office in field work in Ukraine.

Spain is also offering the resources of its National Institute of Toxicology and Forensic Sciences (INTCF) for the reception and analysis of samples and traces collected on the ground.

During the initial phase, 39 forensic experts will be available to the ICC to cooperate in the investigation. Of these, 29 will be forensic doctors, whilst the remaining 10 will be forensic officers (autopsies).

The whole team will collaborate in the collection and analysis of evidence to assist in the identification of the victims, the explosive material used, and the techniques employed, as well as the identification of the perpetrators of the events under investigation.

Justice Minister Pilar Llop tweeted to say that she is ‘proud that the International Criminal Court and the Ukrainian Prosecutor’s Office have placed their trust in these Spanish professionals to clarify these possible war crimes’.

🇺🇦Orgullosa de los profesionales del @INTCFjusticia que van a dar soporte para valorar posibles crímenes de guerra en #Ucrania.

🔝Un reconocimiento internacional más a la valía de nuestros magníficos profesionales forenses. https://t.co/YkDB5EQRF6
— Pilar Llop Cuenca (@pilar_llop) April 22, 2022