Grave Faces: A Forensic Technician’s Story of Gathering Evidence of Genocide in Bosnia

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This book is the story of author’s experiences as a forensic technician, gathering evidence of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide in Bosnia and Kosovo, from 1996 to 2002, during the most extensive international forensic investigation in history conducted by the United Nations. ‘Grave Faces’ is unique in that it’s the first book written by an experienced technician who was involved in what has emerged as the most extensive forensic investigation in history. The book is based on the author’s personal experiences recorded as his memoire. Author is asking universal questions of humanity trying to understand the level of cruelty and barbarity perpetrated against so many innocent civilian men, women and children in a war of aggression against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo.

All proceeds from the sale of his book, author is donating to the Association of Women Victims of War (Sarajevo).

By: Robert McNeil, M.B.E.

ISBN: 978-1-7371718-2-9

Hard cover, Sewn, 312 pages

About the author:

Robert McNeil MBE, FAAPT is a Glasgow based painter, and now an Affiliate Artist for UNESCO’s Refugees Integration through Language and the Arts. Following his retirement from a long career as an Anatomical Pathology Technologist (APT), he wrote the book “Grave Faces” detailing his experiences while gathering evidence of genocide in Bosnia and Kosovo. From 1996 until 2009, McNeil was invited to form part of National and International Forensic teams who were tasked with providing physical and scientific evidence of terrorist attacks in the UK and Ireland, war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide in war zones in the Balkans and in Africa. McNeil also assisted in the identification of hundreds of British and Australian soldiers killed and buried in mass graves in France during WWI. He also recovered, helped identify and repatriate victims of the 2005 South East Asia tsunami in Thailand. For his work, McNeil was awarded the British MBE by HRH Prince Charles in 1999.

He retired in 2009 and took up painting to help him deal with PTSD. He currently is an Ambassador for Remembering Srebrenica UK.

“Grave Faces is an exquisitely written, utterly compelling work of courage and precise skill. As Robert McNeil details his work as a forensic technician investigating the genocide in the Balkans every page demands our humility and that each of us face the worst of humanity and the apathy that leads to genocidal denial. Robert’s work is the work of justice – careful, difficult, pains taking, evidence laden, documented, presented, heard.”

Alison Phipps, UNESCO Chair for Refugee Integration through Languages and the Arts, University of Glasgow.

“In this intimate and beautifully written book, Robert McNeil takes the reader with him as he journeys into the dark heart of the Bosnian genocide and crimes against humanity. As each chapter unfolds, the story of the most recent genocide to occur on European soil becomes clearer. It is a story of heartbreak, horror and heroism. The book captures the stories of the forensic scientists who worked tirelessly to reunite families with the shattered remains of their loved ones and to bring the perpetrators and genocide deniers to justice. It is a book that must be read by all those who wish to understand what humans are capable of when hatred and prejudice go unchallenged.”

Dr. Maureen Sier, Director, Interfaith Scotland