It has been such a long time since my last post. I couldn't predict the impact my current role was going to have on my time and presence for blog posts. My attention was on new work imperatives. However, recently I encountered a young forensic pathologist who recognized me and he indicated he had been following my blog and learning a bit of forensics from it and wanting to know why I stopped writing. I promised I was going to restart but declared my limited space this time round might reduce the frequency. This is in fulfilment of that promise to a colleague in some corner of the world who is among the few that read my thoughts on this blog.
It is also important to declare to my readers that there has also been some shift in focus: from forensics merely being a tool in the justice system, especially the criminal justice system, to forensics as a veritable instrument for humanitarian purposes in relevant contexts. Forensic sciences could provide answers to families and communities beset by the tragedies of armed conflicts, natural disasters and migration deaths. Behind every unidentified deceased person is a daughter, wife, husband, father, mother, grandparents, cousins etc. waiting for answers. Families and friends don't give up on this wait and we shouldn't give up on the search for this answer. This is where working with relevant practitioners, institutions and authorities concerned is vital to providing this missing link that will help affected families and communities come to some closure after a tragedy.
Humanitarian Forensics encapsulates this approach, and I'll be sharing some personal thoughts on how forensic practitioners and other stakeholders, including the general public, could appropriate the principles and practice of the application of elements of forensic sciences to the service of humanity in relevant contexts. You may not have heard about "Humanitarian Forensics" before and I can assure you it's not a new forensic science. There will be more discussions subsequently, and hopefully not after another long wait!
It is also important to declare to my readers that there has also been some shift in focus: from forensics merely being a tool in the justice system, especially the criminal justice system, to forensics as a veritable instrument for humanitarian purposes in relevant contexts. Forensic sciences could provide answers to families and communities beset by the tragedies of armed conflicts, natural disasters and migration deaths. Behind every unidentified deceased person is a daughter, wife, husband, father, mother, grandparents, cousins etc. waiting for answers. Families and friends don't give up on this wait and we shouldn't give up on the search for this answer. This is where working with relevant practitioners, institutions and authorities concerned is vital to providing this missing link that will help affected families and communities come to some closure after a tragedy.
Humanitarian Forensics encapsulates this approach, and I'll be sharing some personal thoughts on how forensic practitioners and other stakeholders, including the general public, could appropriate the principles and practice of the application of elements of forensic sciences to the service of humanity in relevant contexts. You may not have heard about "Humanitarian Forensics" before and I can assure you it's not a new forensic science. There will be more discussions subsequently, and hopefully not after another long wait!
