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Biometrics to Necrometrics: What the Dead Can Tell us About War A Human Security Approach to Collecting and Analysing Conflict Data from the Dead
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Journal Article (2025)
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Proposes a human security approach to using biometrics from human remains in conflict zones, introducing the concept of ‘necrometrics’ to better assess the impact of war on human security.
In conflict zones, the use of biometrics has traditionally focused on living individuals for security purposes, such as identifying threats and controlling access. However, the collection of data from the dead, termed ‘necrometrics’, offers a different perspective by providing insights into the human environment of conflict. This approach aligns with international humanitarian and human rights laws, which emphasize the dignity and identification of human remains. The paper argues that necrometrics can enhance understanding of the broader impacts of war, including economic, health, and environmental insecurities, by documenting and contextualizing the dead. The Iraq Body Count project exemplifies how casualty recording can contribute to this understanding by providing detailed data on civilian deaths in Iraq since 2003. Despite the challenges of collecting reliable biometric data from decomposing bodies, necrometrics is proposed as a necessary tool for fulfilling legal obligations and advancing human security in conflict areas. The research highlights the importance of identifying and contextualizing the dead to address insecurities arising from poverty, lack of healthcare, and environmental degradation, thereby promoting a comprehensive human security framework in war-torn regions.
Key findings
- The introduction of necrometrics provides a new framework for understanding the impact of war on human security by focusing on data from the dead.Evidence
The Iraq Body Count project documented 210,166 civilian deaths from March 2003 to March 2023, providing detailed data on each incident, including date, location, and cause of death. This data helps contextualize the impact of conflict on personal, economic, and political security.
What it meansNecrometrics offers a comprehensive approach to assessing human security in conflict zones, highlighting the need for legal and ethical considerations in handling human remains.
- Casualty recording, as demonstrated by the Iraq Body Count, is essential for human security assessment in armed conflicts.Evidence
The meticulous recording of casualties by the Iraq Body Count includes variables such as name, age, gender, and occupation, which humanizes victims and informs humanitarian responses.
What it meansThis practice contributes to understanding the human cost of war and supports compliance with international law, aiding in post-conflict recovery and reconciliation.
- International law imposes obligations on parties to conflicts to investigate and identify civilian dead, emphasizing the importance of necrometrics.Evidence
The Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols require the identification of the dead through data collection, with customary international humanitarian law reinforcing this duty.
What it meansNecrometrics aids in fulfilling these legal obligations, ensuring accountability and restoring family connections severed by conflict.
- Necrometrics can reveal the broader impact of conflict on various aspects of human security, such as health and environmental security.Evidence
The use of depleted uranium in Iraq, documented by the Iraq Body Count, has led to health issues like cancer and birth defects, highlighting the need for necrometrics to assess environmental and health impacts.
What it meansUnderstanding these impacts is crucial for developing effective policies and interventions to mitigate harm in conflict zones.
- The human security approach, integrating necrometrics, aligns with international efforts to protect civilians and promote human rights.Evidence
The UK Ministry of Defence's Human Security policy and NATO's focus on civilian protection demonstrate the integration of human security principles in military operations.
What it meansNecrometrics supports these efforts by providing data that informs strategies to minimize civilian harm and enhance security.
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Biometrics to Necrometrics: What the Dead Can Tell us About War A Human Security Approach to Collecting and Analysing Conflict Data from the Dead
Cite this brief: Hamourtziadou, Lily. 'Biometrics to Necrometrics: What the Dead Can Tell us About War A Human Security Approach to Collecting and Analysing Conflict Data from the Dead'. Acume. https://www.acume.org/r/biometrics-to-necrometrics-what-the-dead-can-tell-us-about-war-a-human-security-approach-to-collecting-and-analysing-conflict-data-from-the-dead/
Brief created by: Dr Lily Hamourtziadou | Year brief made: 2025
Original research:
- Wels, W., & Hamourtziadou, L., ‘Biometrics to Necrometrics: What the Dead Can Tell us About War A Human Security Approach to Collecting and Analysing Conflict Data from the Dead’ Journal of International Humanitarian Legal Studies https://doi.org/10.1163/18781527-bja10117. – https://brill.com/view/journals/ihls/aop/article-10.1163-18781527-bja10117/article-10.1163-18781527-bja10117.xml?language=en&srsltid=AfmBOorZt3GNusLpdrkaey-3VZjq2xOuHMJQsiYcllOS8Fx3_9QWx1LL
Research brief:
Proposes a human security approach to using biometrics from human remains in conflict zones, introducing the concept of ‘necrometrics’ to better assess the impact of war on human security.
In conflict zones, the use of biometrics has traditionally focused on living individuals for security purposes, such as identifying threats and controlling access. However, the collection of data from the dead, termed ‘necrometrics’, offers a different perspective by providing insights into the human environment of conflict. This approach aligns with international humanitarian and human rights laws, which emphasize the dignity and identification of human remains. The paper argues that necrometrics can enhance understanding of the broader impacts of war, including economic, health, and environmental insecurities, by documenting and contextualizing the dead. The Iraq Body Count project exemplifies how casualty recording can contribute to this understanding by providing detailed data on civilian deaths in Iraq since 2003. Despite the challenges of collecting reliable biometric data from decomposing bodies, necrometrics is proposed as a necessary tool for fulfilling legal obligations and advancing human security in conflict areas. The research highlights the importance of identifying and contextualizing the dead to address insecurities arising from poverty, lack of healthcare, and environmental degradation, thereby promoting a comprehensive human security framework in war-torn regions.
Findings:
The introduction of necrometrics provides a new framework for understanding the impact of war on human security by focusing on data from the dead.
The Iraq Body Count project documented 210,166 civilian deaths from March 2003 to March 2023, providing detailed data on each incident, including date, location, and cause of death. This data helps contextualize the impact of conflict on personal, economic, and political security.
Necrometrics offers a comprehensive approach to assessing human security in conflict zones, highlighting the need for legal and ethical considerations in handling human remains.
Casualty recording, as demonstrated by the Iraq Body Count, is essential for human security assessment in armed conflicts.
The meticulous recording of casualties by the Iraq Body Count includes variables such as name, age, gender, and occupation, which humanizes victims and informs humanitarian responses.
This practice contributes to understanding the human cost of war and supports compliance with international law, aiding in post-conflict recovery and reconciliation.
International law imposes obligations on parties to conflicts to investigate and identify civilian dead, emphasizing the importance of necrometrics.
The Geneva Conventions and Additional Protocols require the identification of the dead through data collection, with customary international humanitarian law reinforcing this duty.
Necrometrics aids in fulfilling these legal obligations, ensuring accountability and restoring family connections severed by conflict.
Necrometrics can reveal the broader impact of conflict on various aspects of human security, such as health and environmental security.
The use of depleted uranium in Iraq, documented by the Iraq Body Count, has led to health issues like cancer and birth defects, highlighting the need for necrometrics to assess environmental and health impacts.
Understanding these impacts is crucial for developing effective policies and interventions to mitigate harm in conflict zones.
The human security approach, integrating necrometrics, aligns with international efforts to protect civilians and promote human rights.
The UK Ministry of Defence’s Human Security policy and NATO’s focus on civilian protection demonstrate the integration of human security principles in military operations.
Necrometrics supports these efforts by providing data that informs strategies to minimize civilian harm and enhance security.