English - Canadian Red Cross

What is the AMD Project?
The Ante Mortem Data (AMD) Project seeks to
find out the fate of those who went missing during
the decade of conflict in the Balkans by collecting
information from relatives that may help to identify
human remains exhumed from mass graves.
Ante Mortem Data
Collection
Why is the Canadian Red Cross involved in
AMD project?
The CRC was invited to assist in the AMD project
by the ICRC because persons like yourself
have resettled here in Canada. This project is
being administered by The Restoring Family
Links Program of the CRC, whose mandate is to
restore links between families affected by international
war, conflict and disaster. For more
information on the Restoring Family Links Program
please refer to the CRC website:
www.redcross.ca.
The Canadian Red Cross is a non-profit humanitarian
organization dedicated to improving
the situation of vulnerable people in
Canada and throughout the world. We are a
member of the International Red Cross and
Red Crescent Movement which includes the
International Committee of the Red Cross
(ICRC), 183 National Red Cross and Red
Crescent Societies and the International Federation
of the Red cross and Red Crescent.
In Canada, the Red Cross provides a wide
range of assistance to millions of people
through our disaster relief, injury prevention
and Humanitarian Issues programming.
Ante Mortem Data
Collection
Danna Ingleton
Ante Mortem Data Collection
Canadian Red Cross
Tel.: (613) 740-1996
antemortemdata@redcross.ca
The Canadian Red Cross works to
improve the lives of the vulnerable by
mobilizing the power of humanity.
Assisting in the Identification of the
Missing in the former Yugoslavia
OR
Contact your local Red Cross Branch
www.redcross.ca
www.redcross.ca/antemortemdata
Humanity │ Impartiality │ Neutrality │Independence
Voluntary Service │ Unity │Universality

Background
As a result of the conflicts
in the former
Yugoslavia between
1992-1995 and in Kosovo
in 1998-1999,
an estimated 40 000 persons were reported missing
by their relatives through the Red Cross Tracing Service.
Today, there are still some 19 000 persons
missing.
Unfortunately, given the time that has passed, and
the events that led to the disappearances of people
during the conflicts, it is highly unlikely that the
missing persons will be found alive. In a number of
regions within former Yugoslavia, international experts
have been excavating mass graves and many
human remains have been exhumed. The Canadian
Red Cross (CRC), in conjunction with the International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), is now
collecting AMD to support the efforts of the authorities
and pathologists to reduce the number of
those unidentified human remains.
What is Ante Mortem Data (AMD)?
AMD is comprehensive information given by the
person who last saw the missing person and knows
the circumstances under which they disappeared, or
by a person who knew him/her well. The questionnaire
asks for detailed information regarding clothing,
physical characteristics, medical and dental
traits, as well as personal effects carried by the person
at the time of dis-
Filling in an AMD
questionnaire is not a
statement that the
missing person is
dead, but a tool that
might contribute to
the identification
process as a whole.
Ante Mortem Data Collection
What can I expect in the interview?
The AMD questionnaire consists of almost 200
questions and takes between 2-3 hours to complete.
If you have photographs or personal documents
relating to the missing person, it would be helpful if
you bring these as well, so as we can make a copy of
them.
The CRC recognizes that having to provide and recount
the circumstances of a relative’s disappearance
Why should I meet with the CRC?
may be a painful
experience, therefore
the CRC will
endeavour to conduct
the interview
in a sensitive manner,
and provide
information on where you might seek additional
support. For support during the interview, you are
welcome to have a friend or relative with you.
Attending an interview with the CRC in which an
AMD questionnaire is completed is your opportunity
to contribute to the identification process of
missing persons in the former Yugoslavia.
Furthermore, as a relative of a missing person you
may be the only person who can supply detailed
information required. Considering how many years
have already gone by, it is vital to record this information
while you are still able to remember details
accurately.
Can I speak to the CRC with an interpreter?
Yes, if you require an interpreter, the CRC will be
happy to arrange one for you in your language for
any telephone calls you have with us and/or for the
AMD collection interview. We simply require that
you notify us of this need as soon as possible.
Will the CRC take a
blood sample for
DNA testing?
No, we will not be collecting
your blood for
DNA testing. The role of
the CRC is in information gathering from families
about missing relatives. The collection of blood samples
for DNA testing is the responsibility of the International
Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP).
Unfortunately, we are unable to confirm whether,
when, or how blood samples may be collected in Canada.
For more information please refer to their website:
www.ic-mp.org.
What use is giving AMD if I can’t give a DNA
sample?
The best person to provide AMD is not always the
same person who will provide a blood sample for
DNA. Furthermore, even if a blood sample cannot be
provided at the same time as AMD collection, it may
be possible for a blood sample to be provided at a later
stage.
What are the chances of my loved one being
identified?
Unfortunately, we are unable to predict the chances of
a missing person being identified. It is unlikely that all
those who died will be discovered and exhumed, nor
will that all exhumed human remains be identified.
However, it is still important for families to provide
this information if they are able to do so. It is our hope
that more people giving information will lead to more
identifications, and
a person’s contribution
to this process
may assist in
resolving the fate
of their own relative,
or that of another
person.