Switzerland donated three DNA analyzers to speed up identification of missing persons in Ukraine

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The State Scientific Research Forensic Centre of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine — The donated equipment will enable forensic teams to create a DNA profile of relatives of missing persons within 90 minutes. © FDFA

The donated equipment, worth around USD 450,000, will enable forensic teams to create a DNA profile of relatives of missing persons within 90 minutes in a single step, compared to a longer regular procedure which is performed by traditional DNA laboratories. This data will then be automatically matched with DNA samples of mortal remains of combatants and civilians.

Switzerland is committed to supporting Ukrainian authorities in their search and identification of missing persons as a contribution to Ukraine’s recovery. DNA analysis is key in this process, also contributing to advancing accountability efforts for the alleged war crimes. The faster DNA profiles of people searching for their relatives are collected and stored in a database, the higher the chances of a match and thus identification when the DNA of mortal remains is being processed.

The devices will be transferred to the regional scientific research forensic centres in Rivne, Khmelnytskyi and Cherkasy.

In February 2023, Switzerland had already donated two DNA devices to forensic teams in Zaporizhzhia and Mykolayiv.

“Behind every missing person, there is a family in pain looking for answers. Coordinated work on their search and identification is crucial to help thousands of families in Ukraine to clarify the fate of their loved ones. I hope these devices will help forensic teams in their important work to end uncertainties and bring relief to families”, said Félix Baumann, Ambassador of Switzerland to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, as of October 2023 more than 26,000 people were reported missing in Ukraine. However, the actual number of missing people is considered to be higher as many areas remain inaccessible for proper investigation.

“All institutions of the Expert Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine create DNA profiles using samples from close relatives and samples of biological material from unidentified bodies every day,” told the experts of State Scientific Research Forensic Centre.

Searching for and identifying missing persons is a priority of Switzerland's peace and human rights programme in Ukraine. Switzerland initiated its efforts to support the search for missing persons in Ukraine in 2016 and stepped up its commitment due to the sharp increase in missing persons since February 2022. The support includes donation of equipment to facilitate DNA analysis and expedite the identification of bodies, as well as IT equipment and furniture to the Ukrainian authorities in charge of finding and identifying missing persons.