Evidence from Space, Truth on the Ground: Documenting War Crimes in the Digital Age
Mai 6 2026 | 06:00 - 07:30 pm | Lecture Hall 9, Main University Building, Am Hof 1, 53113 Bonn
Investigating and prosecuting war crimes pose enormous challenges for the international community. Modern technologies such as satellite data and forensic methods now make it possible to document human rights violations even in hard-to-reach conflict zones, identify missing persons and victims, reconstruct the sequence of events, and secure evidence at an early stage. Beyond the question of accountability, one thing is paramount for the relatives of the missing: finally gaining certainty about what happened to their loved ones.
How do these different forms of evidence gathering work together in this context? What are the limits of technical evidence? And what ethical and political responsibilities arise from verified knowledge of the most serious crimes under international law?
To discuss these and other questions, we welcome to our panel former Ambassador Dirk Brengelmann, Vice Chair of the Board of Commissioners at the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP); Dr. Ingo Bastisch, Director of Science and Technology at ICMP and former head of the DNA laboratory at the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA); and Sara Hadley, PhD Fellow at the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy (IFSH) at the University of Hamburg. The discussion will be moderated by Marlon Amoyal, Deutsche Welle.
The event is organized by the Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS), the Bonn Academy for Research and Teaching in Practical Politics (BAPP), and the Brost Academy.
Registration is required to attend the event.
Schedule
Panel Discussion with:
Ret. Ambassador Dirk Brengelmann
Vice Chair of the Board of Comissioners / International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP)
Dr. Ingo Bastisch
Director of Science and Technology (ICMP), ehem. Leiter des DNA-Labors beim BKA
Sara Hadley
PhD Fellow at the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy (IFSH) at the University of Hamburg
Moderator:
Marlon Amoyal
Deutsche Welle
Further Information
The event is organized by the Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS), the Bonn Academy for Research and Teaching in Practical Politics (BAPP), and the Brost Academy.
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Please note that photos and videos will be taken at this event. By participating, you agree that the Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS) may use any images taken before, during, or after the event for public relations purposes.