UNTAET Crime Scene Detachment
Encyclopedia
The UNTAET Crime Scene Detachment was the common title for an elite
investigative unit created in the war torn and newly liberated country of East Timor
in November 1999, under the direction of the United Nations
mission in East Timor
, consisting of International Police
, Australian Military Police
and New Zealand
Military Police
. The unit was tasked with performing the exhumations of several hundred East Timorese homicide victims killed during the UN mandate
for the East Timor mission. The unit became best known for its investigations and exhumations relating to both the Liquiçá Church Massacre
and the Manuel Carrascalão House Massacre
.
The International Police assigned to the unit then would carry the case on through from an investigative side. The International Police portion of the unit primarily worked out of Liquiçá
and its surrounding districts, whereas the military element worked island
wide within all of East Timor
. Initially commanded by Steve Minhinnet of Great Britain
, the unit was later commanded by American investigator Karl Clark
. Throughout its existence, it relied heavily on intelligence information collected by American intelligence officer Alan Williams. With the rotation of new International Police into East Timor, the unit was eventually disbanded toward the end of 2000, and absorbed into the Human Rights
investigative unit in Dili
, called the Serious Crimes Unit
. Karl Clark, an original member of the unit, eventually played a pivotal role in Human Rights investigations in East Timor, while other unit police members moved on to other UN mission locations.
Elite
Elite refers to an exceptional or privileged group that wields considerable power within its sphere of influence...
investigative unit created in the war torn and newly liberated country of East Timor
East Timor
The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, commonly known as East Timor , is a state in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the nearby islands of Atauro and Jaco, and Oecusse, an exclave on the northwestern side of the island, within Indonesian West Timor...
in November 1999, under the direction of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
mission in East Timor
East Timor
The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, commonly known as East Timor , is a state in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the nearby islands of Atauro and Jaco, and Oecusse, an exclave on the northwestern side of the island, within Indonesian West Timor...
, consisting of International Police
International Police
The International Police is the title used for an organization of police officers representing various countries throughout the world, brought together to assist in the training, organization, stabilization of a destabilized region, or creation of indigenous police forces primarily in war-torn...
, Australian Military Police
Military police
Military police are police organisations connected with, or part of, the military of a state. The word can have different meanings in different countries, and may refer to:...
and New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
Military Police
Military police
Military police are police organisations connected with, or part of, the military of a state. The word can have different meanings in different countries, and may refer to:...
. The unit was tasked with performing the exhumations of several hundred East Timorese homicide victims killed during the UN mandate
Mandate (international law)
In international law, a mandate is a binding obligation issued from an inter-governmental organization like the United Nations to a country which is bound to follow the instructions of the organization....
for the East Timor mission. The unit became best known for its investigations and exhumations relating to both the Liquiçá Church Massacre
Liquiçá Church Massacre
The Liquiçá Church Massacre was an atrocity that occurred in the war torn country of East Timor, in April, 1999. It was the first case to be heard by the Second Special Panel.-Events and Aftermath:...
and the Manuel Carrascalão House Massacre
Manuel Carrascalão House Massacre
The Manuel Carrascalão House Massacre occurred on 17 April 1999 in Dili, East Timor, at the house of East Timorese independence leader Manuel Carrascalão. 12 people were killed by the pro-Indonesia Aitarak militia, commanded by Eurico Guterres, including Manuel's 17 year old son, Manelito...
.
The International Police assigned to the unit then would carry the case on through from an investigative side. The International Police portion of the unit primarily worked out of Liquiçá
Liquiçá (district)
Liquiçá is one of the districts of East Timor. Its capital is also called Liquiçá.-Geography:Liquiçá District is situated on the northern coast of East Timor, and borders the districts of Dili to the east, Aileu to the Southeast, Ermera to the south, and Bobonaro to the southwest. To the...
and its surrounding districts, whereas the military element worked island
Island
An island or isle is any piece of sub-continental land that is surrounded by water. Very small islands such as emergent land features on atolls can be called islets, cays or keys. An island in a river or lake may be called an eyot , or holm...
wide within all of East Timor
East Timor
The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, commonly known as East Timor , is a state in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the nearby islands of Atauro and Jaco, and Oecusse, an exclave on the northwestern side of the island, within Indonesian West Timor...
. Initially commanded by Steve Minhinnet of Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
, the unit was later commanded by American investigator Karl Clark
Karl Clark
Osby Karl Clark, or Karl Clark is an American police officer from North Carolina, and a former police chief, best known for his service on international assignments with the International Police...
. Throughout its existence, it relied heavily on intelligence information collected by American intelligence officer Alan Williams. With the rotation of new International Police into East Timor, the unit was eventually disbanded toward the end of 2000, and absorbed into the Human Rights
Human rights
Human rights are "commonly understood as inalienable fundamental rights to which a person is inherently entitled simply because she or he is a human being." Human rights are thus conceived as universal and egalitarian . These rights may exist as natural rights or as legal rights, in both national...
investigative unit in Dili
Dili
Dili, spelled Díli in Portuguese, is the capital, largest city, chief port and commercial centre of East Timor.-Geography and Administration:Dili lies on the northern coast of Timor island, the easternmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands....
, called the Serious Crimes Unit
Serious Crimes Unit
The Serious Crimes Unit was the official title given to an elite unit of International Police investigators during the United Nations 1999 to 2004 mission in East Timor....
. Karl Clark, an original member of the unit, eventually played a pivotal role in Human Rights investigations in East Timor, while other unit police members moved on to other UN mission locations.