Forensic experts from Cranfield University and the Inforce Foundation have proposed the use of acrylic coffins as one way of preserving and conserving remains of Genocide victims. They made the proposal yesterday while presenting a paper before Members of Parliament on how the remains could be conserved for a longer period. “We intend to preserve the remains in a way that history will not be forgotten, and keep the image of the horror that happened,” said Alan McClue from Cranfield Forensic Institute. He added that his team has a plan of setting up a state-of-the-art mobile laboratory that would be used in preserving selected mummified remains of men, women and children. “The three-roomed laboratory will have the capacity to protect preserve and conserve remains and associated artefacts such as paper, leather, cloths, metal objects and others,” he said. The laboratory can be maintained for 15 to 20 years if it is properly taken care of. The fully equipped mobile laboratory is estimated to cost US$168,492. “Part of our proposed preservation programme is employing latest scientific methods and modern technologies so that the remains can be preserved for over 100 years, maintaining the dignity of survivors, considering the views of the survivors and creating capacity and skills in Rwandans so that they can take over the preservations themselves,” said McClue. “We look forward to working with our colleagues in Rwanda on creating a memorial that is respectful to both the victims of the Genocide and their living relatives”.McClue was accompanied by three other forensic experts who made the presentation. After their presentation, Senate vice president, Prosper Higiro, expressed interest in McClue’s project saying that Parliament has for long been pressuring the government to come up with measures of preserving the remains. The Executive Secretary of the National Commission for the Fight against Genocide, Jean de Dieu Mucyo, said that he had held a meeting with the Ministry of Finance to mobilize funding for the project. Ends
