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Mexico City Opens Pilot Exhumations at Panteón Dolores to Identify the Unclaimed

The effort applies a controlled, multidisciplinary approach to match remains with records for dignified restitution.

Overview

  • On the first day, teams opened fosa 26 at level 15, excavated about 40 centimeters, and recovered 90 bone elements for analysis.
  • Specialists from archaeology, anthropology, genetics, odontology, criminalistics, and photography will process the material at the ISPCF, with data entered into a forensic system and fingerprint checks with the INE.
  • Authorities say the site holds roughly 10,000 unclaimed or unidentified individuals, with 6,618 cases carrying identification hypotheses and 385 people already identified and 73 families located to date.
  • Search collectives and relatives observed the work, the area remains under security, and officials reported that some matches linked to the fosa have already been communicated to families.
  • A Centro de Resguardo y Tratamiento is under construction so remains will temporarily stay at ISPCF and the FGJ, and officials acknowledge limited forensic archaeology staff could constrain the pace.