37
Approximately 50 relatives of the victims had previously been interviewed to collect premortem
information, which was subsequently compared in the laboratory with information taken from the
216
skeletons, in an attempt to identify them .
The remains could be positively identified in the case of 14 individuals; 22 individuals were
217
tentatively identified, and two were deemed possibly identified .
It proved very difficult to identify the children found in the common graves. Because they were
children, they generally had no significant dental traits. Nor were any birth certificates or other
documentation available to certify their ages. Most of those documents were burned during the
war in a fire in the town hall of Meanguera. Consequently, the ages are approximate, and their
218
sex could not be positively identified .
These problems could eventually be resolved with the extraction of genetic material from the
bones and from the presumed relatives. Currently, however, such tests are not conducted in the
country and because of the great number of relatives of the victims who are also related to each
219
other, genetic analysis would be very complicated .
193.
On April 11, 12, 13, 26 and 28, 2000, new excavations by the EAAF were announced in
the canton of La Joya. The press notices indicated that between 30 and 50 remains might be found there,
and that three of the 19 potential sites would be excavated. EAAF participation was said to have been
requested by the Tutela Legal. The press notice mentioned that the exhumations could provide evidence
for future prosecution of officers. It also indicated that, while the main purpose of the exhumation was to
recover remains for the victims’ relatives, the Tutela Legal saw it as “a chance to retrieve evidence for
220
future legal proceedings” .
2.
The exhumations conducted in 2001
194.
Between September and December 2001 excavations were performed in three areas: the
first in the village of El Mozote, the second in the village of Los Toriles, and the third in the canton of La
Joya. The work was directed by three members of the EAAF and on some days a member of the Forensic
221
Anthropology Team in Zimbabwe was involved
195.
In El Mozote, exhumation work was concentrated on one of the sites indicated as a place
222
where women were killed . The skeletal remains were in very poor condition, and only fragments of
bones and ashes could be retrieved. It was not possible to find articulated or semi-articulated
223
skeletons . At least 31 concentrations of skull bone fragments were found, but this did not necessarily
224
represent the number of individuals. 95 pieces of ballistic evidence were retrieved . Among the factors
responsible for deterioration of the bone remains were the action of fire, the quantity of projectiles found
that produced serious lesions in the bones, and the collapse of the roof and walls of the building onto the
225
226
bodies . The personal effects found at the site suggested that most of the bodies were of women .
216
Ibid.
217
Ibid.
218
Ibid.
219
Ibid.
220
Press notices. La Prensa Gráfica Online. 12 April 2000. New exhumations in El Mozote; COLATINO. 11 April 2000.
Further exhumations of massacre victims in El Mozote; COLATINO. 26 April 2000. Our job is to fight against impunity and for human
rights: Tutela Legal; La Prensa Gráfica Online. 13 April 2000. Exhumation work begins in the El Mozote massacre case; and
COLATINO. 28 April 200. Three skeletons found (All annexed to the petitioners’ communication received 5 April 2000).
221
Report of the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team on exhumation works conducted in 2001 (Annex F to the
petitioners’ communication of November 11, 2002).
222
Ibid.
223
Ibid,
224
Ibid.
225
Ibid.