Computational Political Science for Democracy Working Group
Cochairs: Michael Coppedge and Dmitry Zaytsev
Graduate Assistant: Gessica de Freitas
In collaboration with the Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society
Where are they? Using spatial technologies to support the search for missing persons in Mexico
Discussion with:
Jorge Reyes
Kellogg Institute Research Associate
Disappearances committed by state and non-state armed actors have become widespread in Mexico since late 2006 due to the use of armed forces to counter drug-related activities in the country. Consequently, families of missing persons and authorities have conducted search brigades to locate them in different regions.
This session will highlight how the use of spatial technologies has supported families' search strategies in Baja California, Mexico, by developing a spatial approximation that combines spatial statistics with remote sensing methods to pinpoint areas where clandestine graves may be located. This talk will highlight the methods, results, and ethical discussions of implementing these technologies in contexts of human rights violations.
