FOR THE RECORD: U.S. statement on ID of body (05/13/01)

FOR THE RECORD: U.S. statement on ID of body

The following statement was released by the Embassy of the United States in Kyiv on May 8.

On March 6 and April 26, 2001 Dr. William Rodriguez of the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology conducted a forensic examination of the badly decomposed remains, which were reported to have been recovered on November 2, 2000, in Taraschansky District, Kyiv, Ukraine. Examination of the remains on both dates were conducted at the Kyiv City Central Bureau of Forensic Examination.

During both examinations determinations regarding the biological profile of the corpse (sex, age, race, stature and foot size) were ascertained. During both examinations multiple bone samples were collected for DNA comparisons by the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation. Comparison of the biological profile of the corpse in question, to the known biological profile of Heorhii Gongadze were found to be consistent. A detailed review of the skeletal elements found them consistent with that of a single individual. Examination of the remains also revealed evidence of an old healed skeletal injury which was present on the right radius of the lower arm and the proximal and medial phalanges of the small finger (fifth digit) of the left hand.

Radiographs taken of these injuries were compared to known antemortem radiographs of Heorhii Gongadze. The antemortem radiographs of Heorhii Gongadze were provided by his mother, Oleksandra Gongadze on April 26, 2001, the day of the second U.S. team examination. Comparison of the radiographs of the corpse in question to the antemortem radiographs of Heorhii Gongadze revealed matching skeletal morphology, including evidence of like skeletal injury and presence of metallic shrapnel. A review of the DNA comparisons conducted by the FBI corroborates that the findings of the forensic skeletal examination that the remains are of a single individual.

Comparison of the DNA profiles obtained from Oleksandra Gongadze, Myroslava Gongadze, and her two daughters, Solomia and Nana Gongadze, are reported not to exclude the corpse as being offspring of Oleksandra Gongadze. Furthermore, DNA comparisons also are reported not to exclude the corpse as being the remains of the father of Solomia and Nana Gongadze. The combined DNA comparisons provide supplemental support to the radiographic identification of the corpse.

In conclusion, based on the forensic skeletal examinations, radiographic comparisons and DNA findings, the badly decomposed remains examined are positively those of the missing journalist Heorhii Gongadze.

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