Forensic Expert Details Identification of Skeletons Found in Burnt Kwitang Building

A major student demonstration in late August 2025 culminated in riots across several areas, including in front of the Mobile Brigade Command Headquarters (Mako Brimob) in Kwitang, Central Jakarta. The unrest was triggered by the death of an online motorcycle taxi driver, Affan Kurniawan, who was run over by a Brimob tactical vehicle. The chaos led to the burning of several vehicles and buildings around the Senen area. Following the incident, two individuals, Muhammad Farhan Hamid and Reno Syahputra Dewo, were listed as missing persons. Two months later, the public was shocked by the discovery of two charred human skeletons inside the Astra Credit Companies (ACC) building in Kwitang, Senen. Police forensic expert Brigadier General Dr Sumy Hastry Purwanti revealed how the victims were identified. Initially, the police received several names of people considered missing from the event. The Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) team subsequently collected antemortem data, including physical characteristics, age, and the clothing and accessories last worn. This step was taken to prepare for the possibility that the missing persons were victims of the demonstration. The two skeletons found in Kwitang ultimately matched the collected antemortem data. However, to confirm the identity of the remains against the missing persons, a DNA match test was required. ‘Two months later they were found. We had data, like he was wearing this necklace. But for primary identification, especially when the body is in poor condition, you confirm it with DNA,’ Dr Sumy Hastry Purwanti explained on the Kick Andy Show. Primary identification can be achieved through dental records, fingerprints, or DNA. According to Dr Hastry, fingerprint examination was impossible due to the charred state of the victims. ‘When I examined the body, from its characteristics we determined it was a young male, burnt by fire. Why was it not visible at the time? The fire had stopped and the remains may have mixed with wood debris from the house,’ the forensic expert clarified.