The Use of Forensic Archaeology in the Investigation of Human Rights Abuse: Unearthing the Past in East Timor

This paper examines the ways in which the relatively new, yet rapidly expanding discipline of forensic archaeology may contribute to the investigation of human rights abuses. A brief history of the development and applications of forensic archaeology in the investigation of global human rights abuses is provided. The paper then outlines the current procedures for investigating human rights abuses in East Timor and focuses on a case study of a reported, but officially unrecognised, massacre in East Timor, that of the 1991 Santa Cruz massacre. We discuss the ways in which forensic archaeologists can potentially assist in the investigation of this massacre and examine the ramifications of such an investigation for the future development of East Timor.