Tattoo sketches from unidentified bodies: Ministry of Internal Affairs launches new online service
10 March 13:27
The Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs has launched a new online service to help identify people who have gone missing under special circumstances, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
The platform publishes sketches of tattoos from unidentified bodies that were delivered to territory controlled by Ukraine during repatriation and evacuation operations.
The launch of the service was announced by Artur Dobroserdov, the commissioner for missing persons.
How the service works
The new tool is available on the Single Window for Citizens portal in the “Search” category.
The “Identification by Tattoos” section contains graphic sketches of tattoos from bodies whose identities have not yet been established.
According to Dobroserdov, the resource was created to assist investigators and experts in the process of identifying the deceased.
Search system
To facilitate the search, the service provides special filters. Users can search for tattoos by the following parameters:
- category (e.g., text, portrait, or military symbols);
- tattoo type;
- body part and location;
- search by description.
Each sketch contains detailed information: number, category, description, tattoo location, and date added.
Appeal to relatives of missing persons
The commissioner called on citizens to notify law enforcement if they recognize a tattoo similar to one that a missing relative or acquaintance had.
Information can be provided:
- by calling the hotline number 1698;
- by email to [email protected].
The message asks for contact details, information about the missing person, and the tattoo sketch number.
What happens after the report
The reports received are checked by specialists from the Department for Persons Missing under Special Circumstances.
If the information is confirmed, it is forwarded to the investigative units of the National Police of Ukraine for further work.
According to Dobroserdov, each such report can significantly speed up the identification of the person and the restoration of the name of the deceased.
How the sketches were created
The project was implemented with the support of the Partnership for a Strong Ukraine Program.
Professional graphic designers were involved in the work, processing photographs and creating accurate sketches of tattoos.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs also notes that experts sometimes use tattoo reconstruction methods, especially in cases where DNA identification is impossible due to severe damage to the bodies.
