Guatemalan Forensic Anthr

The Guatemalan Forensic Anthropology Foundation (Fundación de Antropología Forense de Guatemala, FAFG)investigates mass human rights abuses, focusing on the recovery and identification of victims killed and buried in clandestine gravesites during Guatemala's 36-year internal armed conflict. The FAFG uses forensic anthropology and archeology to search for the estimated 200,000 lives that were lost. Since 1992, FAFG has carried out 191 exhumations of mass grave sites. FAFG is a non-governmental organization that functions in the absence of an official government exhumation program. Exhumations have played a critical role in providing forensic investigation teams with evidence to scientifically document massacres perpetrated by the Guatemalan military.

In the past three years, the FAFG has faced increased repression. Members of the Foundation were the subject of numerous attacks and death threats. The individuals behind the threats may have had ties to the military during Guatemala's civil war.

AAAS awards and honors:

• Science and Human Rights Reception, 2004.