Question

In terms of prosecutions, what is so different about the Dos Erres case as compared to other prosecution attempts?

a. It was one of the first prosecutions of persons responsible for war crimes in Guatemala that was unsuccessful
b. It used DNA as evidence to make a successful prosecution
c. It never led to a trial so no prosecution was even attempted
d. None of the above

Answer 1

The Dos Erres case differed from other prosecution attempts due to the successful use of DNA as evidence in securing convictions for war crimes in Guatemala.

• In terms of prosecutions, what is so different about the Dos Erres case as compared to other prosecution attempts? The correct answer is b. It used DNA as evidence to make a successful prosecution.
• This aspect of using DNA evidence was notably different and significant because it was a pioneering method in the context of prosecuting war crimes in Guatemala.
• While the ICC and various tribunals after the Rwandan Genocide and Yugoslavia's ethnic cleansing have prosecuted war crimes, the use of DNA to secure a conviction in such cases within Guatemala represented a unique and effective approach to jurisprudence in human rights-related crimes.
• Human rights abuses often present challenges concerning evidence, but novel techniques such as DNA testing can provide strong, scientific proof that ties perpetrators to crimes.