The process of identifying martyrs' remains lacking in information in Vietnam

The process of identifying martyrs' remains lacking in information in Vietnam (Internet image) 

On December 22, 2023, the Minister of National Defense issued Circular 119/2023/TT-BQP regulating the process for identifying martyrs' remains with missing information.

The process of identifying martyrs' remains lacking in information in Vietnam

(1) The process of collecting and processing information about martyrs lacking in information

The Standing Committee of Steering Committee 515 at all levels receives documents requesting the collection and processing of missing information on martyrs. General information is recorded in Form BM01-QT01.01/HCLS specified in Appendix V, issued with Circular 119/2023/TT-BQP.

The Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs established an interdisciplinary working group to carry out tasks.

The working group, the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, the management board of the martyrs' cemetery, the locality, the gathering team, and witnesses conducted a survey of the martyrs' cemetery and the area where martyrs' remains were searched and collected. The working group develops a survey report.

Working group, Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, Martyrs Cemetery Management Board, Provincial Military Command, Gathering Team, units, localities, organizations, and relevant individuals collect and provide information and documents related to martyrs, martyrs' cemeteries, and martyrs' remains that lack information. Collected information is recorded in Form BM02-QT01.01/remains of martyrs and Form BM03-QT01.01/remains of martyrs, as specified in Appendix V, issued together with Circular 119/2023/TT-BQP.

Based on the information collected, the working group develops a report on the results of the information collection.

The Working Group and the Office of Steering Committee 515 added missing information for martyrs' remains and martyrs' graves to the excerpt of martyrs' records.

The working group handed over documents to the Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs sectors. The Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs receives documents and adds information on tombstones and management records. Military agencies and units receive, supplement, and edit martyr information in the records and lists of martyrs managed by the unit.

Details of the implementation method are provided in Appendix I, issued with Circular 119/2023/TT-BQP.

(2) The process of exhumation and morphological assessment of martyrs' remains lacking in information

The Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs develops a dossier requesting exhumation, morphological assessment of remains, and identification of martyrs' remains with missing information. Request the appraisal agency to exhume, assess the morphology of the remains, and hand over the records to the appraisal agency.

The appraisal agency receives documents, adds specialized information, develops an appraisal plan, and assigns an appraisal team to perform tasks.

The appraisal team and agency coordinate to excavate and assess the morphology of martyrs' remains according to the established plan. The results of the assessment are recorded in Form BM01-QT02.01/remains of martyrs.

The inspection team collects inspection samples for the next DNA analysis process. Sample collection results are recorded in Section III of Form BM01-QT02.01/martyrs' remains specified in Appendix V, issued with Circular 119/2023/TT-BQP.

The appraisal team and the unit coordinate to return the current state of the martyr's grave and hand it over to the agency or individual responsible for managing the martyr's grave.

The appraisal agency handed over the morphological assessment records of remains and samples of fallen soldiers' remains to the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs to handle the next steps.

Details of the implementation method are provided in Appendix II issued with Circular 119/2023/TT-BQP.

(3) Procedures for collecting and preserving samples of martyrs' remains and biological samples of martyrs' relatives for DNA analysis to identify missing information on martyrs' remains

The Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs develops a dossier requesting the collection of samples of martyrs' remains and biological samples of martyrs' relatives for DNA analysis to determine the identity of martyrs' remains with missing information. Request the inspection agency to collect samples and hand over documents to the inspection agency.

The appraisal agency receives documents, adds specialized information, develops a sample collection and preservation plan, and assigns an appraisal team to perform the task of collecting and preserving samples for DNA analysis.

The inspection team and agency coordinate to collect samples according to plan.

- For samples of martyrs' remains, the sample collection process is carried out along with the process of exhumation and morphological assessment of martyrs' remains. Details of sample collection methods and techniques are guided in Part A, Appendix III, issued with Circular 119/2023/TT-BQP. Sample collection information is recorded in Section III of Form BM01-QT02.01/HCLS specified in Appendix V, issued with Circular 119/2023/TT-BQP.

- For biological samples of martyrs' relatives, sample collection methods and techniques follow the procedures guided in parts B, C, and D of Appendix III issued with Circular 119/2023/TT-BQP. Sample collection information is recorded in Form BM01-QT02.02/HCLS specified in Appendix V, issued with Circular 119/2023/TT-BQP.

The inspection agency will hand over documents and samples to the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs after completing the sample collection task.

The appraisal agency is assigned the task of analyzing DNA to determine the identity of martyrs' remains, which lacks information, after the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs preserves the samples according to the process guided in Appendix III, issued together with Circular 119/2023/TT-BQP.

(4) The DNA analysis process to determine the identity of martyrs' remains lacking information

The Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs completes the DNA analysis request dossier, adds necessary information to the sample dossier, and encodes sample symbols according to specialized regulations. Identify and request that the inspection agency perform DNA analysis. Hand over documents and samples to the appraisal agency tasked with identifying the remains of martyrs who lack information.

The appraisal agency receives documents, adds professional information, develops a DNA analysis plan, and assigns an appraisal team to perform the DNA analysis task.

The inspection team carries out the DNA analysis process as planned.

The inspection agency hands over the DNA analysis results and returns the remaining samples after analysis to the Department of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs for processing according to regulations.

The DNA analysis process is detailed in Appendix IV, issued with Circular 119/2023/TT-BQP.

Principles for implementing procedures for identifying martyrs' remain lacking information in Vietnam

The four processes specified above are the technical processes of two methods: evidence and DNA examination, which have a dialectical relationship with each other.

The appraisal agency can choose to apply one, two, three, or all processes until there is enough scientific basis to determine the identity of the martyr's remains.

More details can be found in Circular 119/2023/TT-BQP taking effect on February 5, 2024.

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