Ukraine launches tattoo-based identification service for people missing under special circumstances

Ukraine's Ministry of Internal Affairs has launched an online service to help identify persons missing under special circumstances through their tattoos.

"A special section titled 'Identification by Tattoos' has been created on the Single Window for Citizens portal under the Search category. It publishes sketches of tattoos from unidentified bodies delivered to the government-controlled territory of Ukraine as part of repatriation and evacuation measures. The resource was created to assist pre-trial investigation bodies in the process of identifying and establishing the identities of persons missing under special circumstances," the ministry said on its website.

According to law enforcement authorities, the service includes a filtering system by tattoo category (including texts, portraits, military symbols, etc.), tattoo type (subcategory), location and part of the body, as well as search by description.

Each sketch contains detailed information: sketch number, category, type, location, description (for example, "The tattoo is located on the left shoulder in the form of a Roman legionary helmet"), and the date of publication. The catalog is periodically updated and supplemented according to the established structure.

The Interior Ministry asks people to report any recognition of tattoos using the provided contact details.

"Each such report can significantly speed up the process of establishing a person's identity and restoring a name to the deceased. The information you provide, on the instructions of Commissioner for Persons Missing under Special Circumstances Artur Dobroserdov is analyzed and verified by staff of the Commissioner's Secretariat and, if confirmed, is forwarded to investigative units of the National Police of Ukraine," the statement reads.

According to the ministry, the implementation of the project became possible thanks to the support of the Partnership for a Resilient Ukraine Programme, including the involvement of professional graphic designers who process photographs and create tattoo sketches.