In which country did the use of advanced forensic science techniques to document human rights violations originate?

The use of advanced forensic science techniques to document human rights violations originated in Argentina, particularly during the late 1970s and early 1980s amid the military dictatorship that led to widespread disappearances and abuses. Argentine forensic experts, notably through organizations like the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team (EAAF), pioneered methods such as forensic anthropology and exhumation of mass graves to identify victims of state terrorism. These initiatives not only provided evidence for human rights cases but also laid the groundwork for similar efforts globally, establishing a model for the intersection of forensic science and human rights investigations.

This historical context is crucial for understanding how forensic science evolved within the realm of human rights advocacy, particularly in response to atrocities committed in Argentina, which served as a catalyst for similar practices in other countries facing human rights challenges.