Abstract

War is the most destructive of human conditions and can often sweep away the very essence of community and liberty. In this environment of chaos and destruction the most barbaric of crimes can be committed, driven by extremism and political interests. The wars of the 20th century have produced some of the worst abuses of power, with organized and systematic murder of many millions under the guise of protecting ethnic nationalism and liberty. It is both during and in the aftermath of war that investigators are tasked to examine the worst of these events, correlating evidence and preparing a case for court. The investigation into those at the “trigger level” can be influenced by a series of cultural, social, and political interruptions, which provides little in the way of a voice to the victims of such violence. The paper examines these factors and the difficulty of investigating such complex behaviors and bringing those responsible to justice.