Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team
An Argentine nonprofit scientific organization that uses forensic anthropology, archaeology, and genetics to investigate disappearances, identify human remains, and document human-rights violations.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
The Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team, commonly known by its Spanish name Equipo Argentino de Antropología Forense and the acronym EAAF, is an Argentine nonprofit scientific nongovernmental organization specializing in forensic anthropology and the investigation of unidentified human remains. It was established in 1986 in response to the need to investigate the fate of people who disappeared during Argentina’s 1976–1983 military dictatorship, commonly known as the Dirty War or the Process of National Reorganization. The organization emerged after Argentina’s return to democracy. In 1983, the National Commission on the Disappearance of Persons began documenting disappearances and supporting investigations into suspected clandestine burials. Exhumations of unmarked graves soon showed that conventional investigative practices were insufficient for locating, recovering, and identifying the remains of victims. The Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo and other human-rights organizations sought technical assistance in the United States from the American Association for the Advancement of Science. A genetic database was established at Durand Hospital in Buenos Aires, and forensic anthropologist Clyde Snow helped develop a local team. These efforts formed the basis for the EAAF’s creation in 1986. EAAF investigations generally combine several stages. The preliminary stage gathers written records, archival material, witness accounts, and information from relatives of missing people. The analytical stage compares those accounts with official documents, cemetery records, medical information, and other evidence to identify likely burial locations and establish possible identities. The archaeological stage applies controlled excavation and recovery methods to clandestine graves and other sites. Osteological examination and genetic analysis are then used alongside documentary and testimonial evidence to identify remains and reconstruct events. The organization became a pioneer in applying scientific methods to human-rights investigations. Its work helped demonstrate that forensic anthropology could serve not only criminal investigations but also truth-seeking, accountability, family identification, and the documentation of state violence. By 2000, the team had identified 60 sets of remains, while approximately 300 additional cases were still under investigation according to the cited reference material. EAAF later expanded its work beyond Argentina. Its members have carried out or supported field investigations in approximately 30 other countries, including El Salvador, Guatemala, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Angola, Timor-Leste, French Polynesia, Croatia, and South Africa. Its international profile was strengthened by investigations connected with the El Mozote massacre in El Salvador and by its role in identifying the remains of Ernesto “Che” Guevara in Bolivia. The organization has also assisted other nongovernmental organizations and investigative bodies, including the Expert Technical Group examining the former Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home site in Tuam, Ireland, where the discovery of a mass burial prompted an official investigation. EAAF’s work combines scientific practice with cooperation among families, human-rights groups, courts, public authorities, archivists, genetic laboratories, and local communities. Its central mission is to locate, recover, identify, and interpret human remains while contributing evidence to investigations of disappearances, massacres, and other serious abuses. The available reference material does not establish a current executive roster, precise headquarters address, ownership structure, or detailed present-day program list.
History
The EAAF was founded in 1986 during Argentina’s democratic transition, when the country was confronting the legacy of the 1976–1983 military dictatorship. Thousands of people had been forcibly disappeared, and investigations into their fate included the examination of unmarked graves that might contain unidentified victims. The establishment of the National Commission on the Disappearance of Persons in 1983 created an important institutional framework for documenting these cases, but early exhumations revealed the limits of non-specialized procedures. Human-rights organizations, including the Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo, sought assistance from scientific institutions in the United States. The American Association for the Advancement of Science supported the development of forensic expertise in Argentina. Clyde Snow, a forensic anthropologist, helped train and organize local specialists, while a genetic database was created at Durand Hospital in Buenos Aires. These initiatives provided the technical and organizational foundation for the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team. EAAF developed a multidisciplinary approach. Investigators first collected testimony, family information, archival documents, and other records about missing people and suspected burial locations. They then analyzed official files, cemetery documentation, and related evidence to determine where remains might be found and which individuals could be associated with particular sites. Archaeological recovery techniques were used to excavate graves systematically and preserve the context of the remains. Osteological analysis and DNA testing were integrated with documentary and testimonial evidence to support identifications. This model was significant because it placed scientific investigation at the center of human-rights work. Rather than treating forensic anthropology solely as a criminal or medical specialty, EAAF used it to support families seeking answers, establish factual records, assist courts and truth-seeking processes, and investigate patterns of state violence. The team’s activities helped inspire or support the development of similar forensic capabilities in other countries. By 2000, EAAF had identified 60 sets of remains and had approximately 300 additional cases under investigation, according to the cited account. Its work subsequently expanded internationally, with field projects and technical assistance in around 30 countries. These included investigations in El Salvador, Guatemala, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Angola, Timor-Leste, French Polynesia, Croatia, and South Africa. Its work in connection with the El Mozote massacre in El Salvador and the identification of Ernesto “Che” Guevara’s remains in Bolivia brought particular international attention. EAAF has also collaborated with other nongovernmental organizations and official investigative bodies. In 2017, it assisted the Expert Technical Group examining the former Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, Ireland, after human remains were discovered at the site. This work reflected the organization’s broader role in applying forensic expertise to historical abuses, unidentified remains, mass burials, and contested or incomplete official records. The available sources describe EAAF primarily through its mission and historical activities rather than through corporate information. They do not provide a verified current leadership roster, detailed financial information, or a complete list of active country programs. EAAF is best understood as a specialized scientific and human-rights organization whose institutional identity is defined by forensic investigation, victim identification, and international technical cooperation.
- 2017
Technical assistance in the Tuam investigation
[1]EAAF assisted the Expert Technical Group examining human remains found at the former Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home site in Tuam, Ireland.
- 2000
Documented identification and investigation record
[1]The cited account reported that EAAF had identified 60 sets of remains and was continuing to investigate approximately 300 other cases.
- 1986
EAAF founded
[1]The Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team was established with support from Argentine human-rights organizations, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and forensic anthropologist Clyde Snow.
- 1983
Democratic transition and creation of CONADEP
[1]Argentina created the National Commission on the Disappearance of Persons, and investigations into disappearances and unmarked graves demonstrated the need for specialized forensic methods.
Products and positioning
A science-led human-rights organization that applies forensic anthropology, archaeology, documentary research, and genetics to disappearance cases, mass graves, victim identification, and accountability investigations.
Professional service · 1986
Forensic anthropology investigations
EAAF examines human skeletal remains to assist with identification, biological profiling, trauma assessment, and the reconstruction of events involving unidentified or potentially disappeared persons. The work is conducted in connection with documentary, testimonial, archaeological, and genetic evidence rather than as an isolated laboratory exercise.
Professional service · 1986
Forensic archaeology and exhumation
The team applies archaeological methods to clandestine graves, unmarked burial sites, and mass-grave investigations. Controlled excavation and recovery are intended to preserve the location and relationships of evidence, supporting later anthropological analysis and legal or historical interpretation.
Scientific service · 1986
Genetic identification support
DNA testing and genetic reference information are used alongside anthropological and documentary evidence to compare unidentified remains with relatives or other reference material. The organization’s origins were linked to the creation of a genetic database at Durand Hospital in Buenos Aires.
Recent events
- 2017
EAAF assists the investigation into the Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home site in Tuam[1]
Other
The team assisted the Expert Technical Group examining the discovery of human remains at the former Bon Secours Mother and Baby Home site in Tuam, Ireland.
- 1986
Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team established to investigate dictatorship-era disappearances[1]
Other
The EAAF was created after democratic institutions, human-rights organizations, and scientific advisers identified the need for systematic forensic methods to locate and identify people who disappeared during Argentina’s military dictatorship.
EAAF investigation contributes to identification work connected with the El Mozote massacre[1]
Other
The team gained international recognition through forensic work related to the massacre at El Mozote in El Salvador, where government forces killed civilians during the Salvadoran civil war.
EAAF helps identify the remains of Ernesto “Che” Guevara[1]
Other
The team participated in the forensic identification of remains attributed to Ernesto “Che” Guevara after they were located in Bolivia, contributing to the organization’s international visibility.
Sources2 sources
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