Forensic exhumation of a wartime mass grave at Kokkuthuduvai, Mullaitivu, Sri Lanka: a forensic case report and lessons learnt

Introduction: The exhumation of human remains from wartime mass graves presents logistical, emotional, and technical challenges, especially in a post-conflict area. This forensic field case report highlights the experience of exhuming a mass grave discovered in Kokkuthuduvai, Mullaitivu, Sri Lanka, following the country’s civil war from 1983 to 2009.
Case Presentation: The excavation uncovered the skeletal remains of 52 individuals, suspected to be associated with Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) forces based on contextual, artefactual and clothing evidence. Descriptive anthropological analyses revealed a predominance of females, with ages ranging from approximately 12 to 53 years, and evidence of explosive and gunshot injuries. Major challenges included maintaining transparency and trust among a local population affected by the conflict and often distrustful of authorities. Strategies such as regular media briefings, independent observation, and culturally appropriate funeral rites were implemented to address these concerns, though they sometimes led to misinterpretation of scientific findings. Another challenge was managing the emotional impact on the survivors of the war, stemming from not getting answers about the fate of their kin. Financial constraints further complicated the project, as delays in the approval of funds hindered progress. Audio magnetotelluric techniques were utilized to delineate the grave’s extent, minimizing disruption to local infrastructure. Definitive individual identification was not achieved due to the absence of traceable records and reference DNA for comparisons. Examination of skeletal remains presented challenges relating to the interpretation of perimortem, antemortem and postmortem trauma, with imaging studies proving valuable for differentiating these changes.
Conclusion: This experience from Sri Lanka highlights the importance of community engagement, emotional sensitivity, flexible funding, and advanced forensic techniques in mass grave investigations.