Why identification matters: an explorative study on six cases of family reunification.
Dead migrants
Family reunification
Human rights
Humanitarian forensic sciences
Identification
Journal
International journal of legal medicine
ISSN: 1437-1596
Titre abrégé: Int J Legal Med
Pays: Germany
ID NLM: 9101456
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
16 Jan 2024
16 Jan 2024
Historique:
received:
18
10
2023
accepted:
08
01
2024
medline:
17
1
2024
pubmed:
17
1
2024
entrez:
16
1
2024
Statut:
aheadofprint
Résumé
The escalating phenomenon of migration, accompanied by a disturbing surge in associated tragedies, has persistently violated internationally protected human rights. Absence of physical evidence, namely the presence of adequately identified corpses, may impede the full enjoyment of human rights and-in some cases-the course of justice as it obstructs the initiation of legal proceedings against individuals implicated in causing such catastrophes. It also presents administrative obstacles, as death certificates are indispensable in legitimizing statuses like orphanhood and widowhood. Family reunification, particularly for orphans, plays a significant role for those attempting to reconnect with their relatives all over the world. Likewise, for mothers, the acknowledgment of their marital status or widowhood can be a pathway to regain their marginalized right to social life. To elucidate this issue, we analyzed six representative cases from the tragic October 3, 2013, shipwreck near the Italian island of Lampedusa, where 366 individuals were retrieved dead from the sea. These cases underscore the practical challenges involved, highlighting the compelling need for continued efforts to ensure that this burdensome problem transcends from being a mere ethical, moral, and legal discourse. Although considerable progresses, these cases also reveal that substantial work still lies ahead. There is a pressing need for improved mechanisms to certify kinship ties, which are often the limiting factor in many reunifications, and can hinder the granting of custody to children. The severity and far-reaching implications of this problem necessitate thoughtful attention and action, especially considering the ongoing escalation in migration and related fatalities.
Identifiants
pubmed: 38228885
doi: 10.1007/s00414-024-03163-w
pii: 10.1007/s00414-024-03163-w
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Informations de copyright
© 2024. The Author(s).
Références
Cattaneo C, De Angelis D, Mazzarelli D, Porta D, Poppa P, Caccia G, D’Amico ME, Siccardi C, Previderè C, Bertoglio B, Tidball-Binz M, Ubelaker D, Piscitelli V, Riccio S (2023) The rights of migrants to the identification of their dead: an attempt at an identification strategy from Italy. Int J Legal Med 137:145–156. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-022-02778-1
doi: 10.1007/s00414-022-02778-1
pubmed: 35277774
Cattaneo C, Tidball Binz M, Penados L, Prieto J, Finegan O, Grandi M (2015) The forgotten tragedy of unidentified dead in the Mediterranean. Forensic Sci Int 250:e1–e2. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.02.007
doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.02.007
pubmed: 25770023
IOM (International Organization for Migration) (2017) World migration report. 2018. International Organization for Migration, Geneva. https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/country/docs/china/r5_world_migration_report_2018_en.pdf . Accessed 15 Oct 2023
Laczko F, Singleton A, Black J (2017) Fatal journey. Volume 3. Improving data on missing migrants. International Organization for Migration, Geneva
Cattaneo C, Mazzarelli D, Olivieri L, De Angelis D, Cappella A, Vitale A, Caccia G, Piscitelli V, Iadicicco A (2020) The approach to unidentified dead migrants in Italy. In: Parra RC, Zapico SC, Ubelaker DH (eds) Forensic science and humanitarian action: interacting with the dead and the living. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Hoboken, pp 559–570. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119482062.ch36
Olivieri L, Mazzarelli D, Bertoglio B, De Angelis D, Previderè C, Grignani P, Cappella A, Presciuttini S, Bertuglia C, Di Simone P, Polizzi N, Iadicicco A, Piscitelli V, Cattaneo C (2018) Challenges in the identification of dead migrants in the Mediterranean: the case study of the Lampedusa shipwreck of October 3rd 2013. Forensic Sci Int 285:121–128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.01.029
doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2018.01.029
pubmed: 29482110
Cattaneo C, Ritz-Timme S, Schutz HW, Collins M, Waite E, Boormann H, Grandi M, Kaatsch HJ (2000) Unidentified cadavers and human remains in the EU: an unknown issue. Int J of Legal Med 113(3):N1–N3
Boss P (2004) Ambiguous loss research, theory, and practice: Reflections after 9/11. J Marriage Fam 66:551–566
doi: 10.1111/j.0022-2445.2004.00037.x
Bolt S (2018) In the absence of a corpse: rituals for body donors in the Netherlands. In: Robben ACGM (ed) A companion to the anthropology of death. John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, pp 371–381
doi: 10.1002/9781119222422.ch26
Cattaneo C, Porta D, De Angelis D, Gibelli D, Poppa P, Grandi M (2010) Unidentified bodies and human remains: an Italian glimpse through a European problem. Forensic Sci Int 195:167.e1-167.e6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.11.008
doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2009.11.008
pubmed: 20005650
Mazzarelli D, Milotta L, Franceschetti L, Maggioni L, Merelli VG, Poppa P, Porta D, De Angelis D, Cattaneo C (2021) Twenty-five years of unidentified bodies: an account from Milano Italy. Int J Legal Med 135:1983–1991. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-021-02560-9
doi: 10.1007/s00414-021-02560-9
pubmed: 33748873
Franceschetti L, Palamenghi A, Mazzarelli D, Cappella A, Gibelli DM, De Angelis D, Verzeletti A, Cattaneo C (2022) Taphonomic study on drowned victims in a non-sequestered aquatic environment in the Mediterranean Sea. Int J Legal Med 136:887–895. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-021-02745-2
doi: 10.1007/s00414-021-02745-2
pubmed: 34802063
Bertoglio B, Grignani P, Di Simone P, Polizzi N, De Angelis D, Cattaneo C, Iadicicco A, Fattorini P, Presciuttini S, Previderè C (2020) Disaster victim identification by kinship analysis: the Lampedusa October 3rd, 2013 shipwreck. Forensic Sci Int Genet 44:102156. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsigen.2019.102156
doi: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2019.102156
pubmed: 31707115
Watherston J, McNevin D, Gahan ME, Bruce D, Ward J (2018) Current and emerging tools for the recovery of genetic information from post mortem samples: new directions for disaster victim identification. Forensic Sci Int Genet 37:270–282. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsigen.2018.08.016
doi: 10.1016/j.fsigen.2018.08.016
pubmed: 30181101
Ziętkiewicz E, Witt M, Daca P, Zebracka-Gala J, Goniewicz M, Jarząb B, Witt M (2012) Current genetic methodologies in the identification of disaster victims and in forensic analysis. J Appl Genet 53:41–60. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13353-011-0068-7
doi: 10.1007/s13353-011-0068-7
pubmed: 22002120
de Boer HH, Obertová Z, Cunha E, Adalian P, Baccino E, Fracasso T, Kranioti E, Lefévre P, Lynnerup N, Petaros A, Ross A, Steyn M, Cattaneo C (2020) Strengthening the role of forensic anthropology in personal identification: position statement by the Board of the Forensic Anthropology Society of Europe (FASE). Forensic Sci Int 315:110456. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110456
doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110456
pubmed: 32866741
Sweet D (2010) Interpol DVI best-practice standards-an overview. Forensic Sci Int 201:18–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.02.031
doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.02.031
pubmed: 20303223
Wright K, Mundorff A, Chaseling J, Forrest A, Maguire C, Crane DI (2015) A new disaster victim identification management strategy targeting “near identification-threshold” cases: experiences from the Boxing Day tsunami. Forensic Sci Int 250:91–97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.03.007
doi: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2015.03.007
pubmed: 25828381
Tidball-Binz M (2018) The management of dead bodies in disaster situations: a field manual for first responders. International Committee of the Red Cross
Adeyinka A, Bailey K. Death certification. [Updated 2023 Apr 17]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK526015/ . Accessed 15 Oct 2023
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Family Protection Issues (2013). https://www.unhcr.org/dach/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2018/03/CH_Essential-right-to-family-unity_Frances-Nicholson_2018.pdf . Accessed 15 Oct 2023
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) family reunification in the context of resettlement and integration (2001). https://www.unhcr.org/media/family-reunification-context-resettlement-and-integration-ngo-statement-ralston-deffenbaugh . Accessed 15 Oct 2023
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Family reunification (2020). https://www.iom.int/sites/g/files/tmzbdl486/files/documents/2023-07/family-reunification.pdf Accessed 15 Oct 2023
UN Human Rights Council (2015) Report of the working group on enforced or involuntary disappearances. UN Human Rights Council. https://www.refworld.org/docid/55ed8ba54.html Accessed 15 Oct 2023
Siccardi, C., I diritti costituzionali dei migranti in viaggio. Sulle rotte del Mediterraneo. Editoriale Scientifica, Napoli, 2021, 109 – 142
Siccardi C (2017) Missing migrants and unidentified bodies in the Mediterranean Sea. Intensive Doctoral Week at Université Sciences Po. http://www.forumcostituzionale.it/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/siccardi.pdf . Accessed 15 Oct 2023
D’Amico M, Cattaneo C (2016) I diritti annegati. I morti senza nome del Mediterraneo. FrancoAngeli Edizioni, Milan. 15 Oct 2023
Mazzarelli D, Bertoglio B, Boscacci M, Caccia G, Ruffetta C, De Angelis D, Fracasso T, Baraybar JP, Riccio S, Marzagalia MM, Cattaneo C (2021) Ambiguous loss in the current migration crisis: A medico-legal, psychological, and psychiatric perspective. Forens Sci Int: Mind and Law 2:100064. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsiml.2021.100064
doi: 10.1016/j.fsiml.2021.100064
Piscitelli V, Iadicicco A, De Angelis D, Porta D, Cattaneo C (2016) Italy’s battle to identify dead migrants. Lancet Glob Health 4:e512–e513. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2214-109X(16)30106-1
doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(16)30106-1
pubmed: 27443771
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) The Geneva Convention and their commentaries https://www.icrc.org/en/war-and-law/treaties-customary-law/geneva-conventions . Accessed 15 Oct 2023
Palamenghi A, Franceschetti L, Tambuzzi S, D’Apuzzo A, Mazzarelli D, Cattaneo C (2023) Transcending time: the forensic anthropological case study of three unidentified transgender women in Italy in the early 1990s. Int J Legal Med. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-023-03122-x
doi: 10.1007/s00414-023-03122-x
pubmed: 37966516