Forensic team races to identify slain hostages– Here's what to know

A comprehensive identification process began Thursday at the Abu Kabir Institute of Forensic Medicine for the hostages' bodies recently released from Gaza. The procedure involves multiple layers of professional documentation and verification, according to the Institute.

The Team:

- A forensic photographer is documenting the entire process, creating an official record that could serve as evidence for future legal proceedings, including potential cases at The Hague

- A police team is present on-site throughout the procedure

- Families have the right to request their own medical representative to be present during examinations

Identification Methods

The Institute's doctors and investigators are utilizing multiple identification techniques:

- DNA matching against an existing database containing samples from hostages and their family members

- X-ray examinations

- Photographic documentation

- Additional forensic methods as required

Timeline and Challenges

Institute sources indicate that the identification process could extend from several hours to potentially more than a day. They note that determining causes of death may be particularly challenging given the time elapsed since October 7th, with some cases potentially remaining inconclusive.

Family Rights and Privacy

The Institute emphasizes that families maintain certain key rights:

- The right to have their own medical representative present during examinations

- Authority to decide whether cause of death information may be released publicly

- Protection under basic privacy rights, particularly regarding medical procedures

Kikar HaShabbat contributed to this article