Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team

Marcela Valente highlights the important work of the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team in Reading the Bones. 

The Argentine forensic crew, known by its Spanish acronym EAAF, was established as a non-governmental, not-for-profit scientific organisation in 1984, the year after the dictatorship came to an end. Between 15,000 (the official figure) and 30,000 (the estimate by human rights groups) people fell victim to forced disappearance during Argentina's seven-year de facto military regime.

The EAAF is comprised of anthropologists, archaeologists, DNA experts, physicians, dentists, computer specialists and others.  The team has carried out investigations in forty countries throughout the world.  They have helped to identify the remains of victims of political violence, crime, and natural disasters.  There is also some discussion of the teams work in Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico.