If the Dead Come Home: Iraq’s Mass Graves

The fates of thousands of people who vanished during decades of conflict are being discovered byforensic experts in Iraq. The unfolding narrative reveals the tireless efforts of DNA specialists and the emotional journeys of families seeking closure, which are rare access to excavation sites.

Survivors confront sectarian violence, ISIL (ISIS) atrocities, and the harrowing legacy of the Saddam Hussein era as bones and belongings resurface. In a nation that is still grappling with its traumatized past, the labor-intensive identification process not only provides comfort to grieving families, but also encourages the pursuit of justice and accountability.