Jennings

LTC Edward Burley, a U.S. Army Reserve officer, was affected personally by the 9/11 attacks, having witnessed smoke rising from the Pentagon in his hometown of Washington DC.
This pivotal moment transitioned him into his role in the Global War on Terrorism.

Burley’s civilian background as a United States Prosecuting Attorney provided him with valuable experience in murder investigations and forensic science.
After the main combat phase in Iraq, he was tasked with leading efforts to identify victims from mass graves left by Saddam Hussein's regime.

Burley coordinated a team of British and Australian anthropologists and was attached to the Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance.
The team, known as the Institute for Forensic Excellence and Investigation of Genocide, aimed beyond mere exhumation; they also researched local citizens’ lists of potential assassination victims.

Mass graves in Iraq are staggering in number, with estimates suggesting that 290,000 to as many as 3 million victims could be buried in these sites.
The team focused on identifying the remains for legal purposes, collecting evidence relevant for prosecuting war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Burley’s team adhered to a complex set of cultural and religious protocols while undertaking their work:
- Bodies exhumed during the day were to be reburied by night in accordance with Islamic customs.
- Female team members adhered to cultural norms by covering their heads while working at sites.
- Grieving family members were allowed access to mourn their lost loved ones at excavation sites.
- Religious clerics and leaders were regularly consulted to ensure compliance with local customs and practices.

The team encountered civil-military challenges, with some high-ranking military personnel expressing discomfort regarding the mass graves mission and its management.
Transitioning control of the investigation to civilians in the Coalition Provisional Authority helped alleviate some tensions once the British/Australian team's mandate concluded.

The groundwork laid by Burley and his team initiated a longer quest for justice in Iraq, wherein local Iraqis would continue the investigation to seek answers for their nation’s suffering.
Burley’s dual role as a prosecuting attorney and military leader exemplifies the blend of civilian experience and military service in addressing complex human rights issues post-conflict.