This presentation discusses some early impressions and emerging themes from our research project Documenting Existing Casualty Recording Practice Worldwide.

The project analyses how different organisations worldwide are recording violent deaths from conflict. The purpose of this is to promote the sharing of practice among casualty recorders by compiling expertise, and to examine the issues of the field. We also intend to help governments, funders, and the public to better understand casualty recording work and the positive impact that it can make through this research. 

The three themes explored in this presentation are:

• International law is important to many casualty recorders
• The media is an important source to casualty recorders, used by all in some way
• International solidarity is vital to casualty recorders experiencing threats and intimidation

Some characteristics of the organisations we are researching and which conflicts they document are also examined.

This presentation was first made to our funder and other partners in Switzerland. The presenter is Elizabeth Minor, Researcher on the Recording Casualties of Armed Conflict Programme.