The Equipo Peruano de Antropología Forense was founded in 1990 by a group of professionals in the social sciences interested in contributing their knowledge and experience to forensic investigations in Peru, particularly those related to shedding a light on crimes against humanity committed during the era of political violence.

From 1996-2006, members of EPAF worked as part of the multinational forensic team for the Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY). Team members were involved in the exhumation, analysis and identification of the remains of victims killed under conditions that violate international humanitarian laws. The mode of operation of the ICTY has been standardized and successfully applied to research carried out in Bosnia, Croatia and Kosovo.

In 1997 the team was invited to join the National Human Rights Coordinator as the Technical Group of Forensic Anthropology. That same year EPAF was invited to exhibit the work from the Balkans at the National Assembly of the National Coordinator for Human Rights. From 1999-00 EPAF prepared the document entitled “Forensic Science and Human Rights: A Proposal for Forensic Research Effectiveness of Human Rights Violations in Peru”. This document was used by the National Coordinating Committee of Human Rights as reference material for the creation of the Truth Commission in Peru, at the initiative of the Transitional Government. This document describes in detail the methodology of the forensic investigation into cases of violations of international humanitarian laws and also includes a proposal for forensic protocols adapted to Peru that incorporates international standards developed from the experience of forensic teams from Latin America and International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. On February 7, 2001, EPAF formally registered as a non-profit civil association, duly registered with the National Office of Public Records (Item No. 11266349 Electronic registry of legal persons). In 2001, EPAF coordinated a workshop for the National Coordinator for Human Rights entitled “The Forensic Science Research and Effectiveness of Human Rights Violations”. The workshop was held in Lima with the assistance of lawyers and human rights activists, prosecutors in several provinces and commissioners of the Ombudsman’s Office. In March 2001, at the request of the Public Ministry, EPAF carried out the first forensic anthropological intervention in Peru that applied international standards as part of the investigation into the extrajudicial executions of members of the “Movimiento Revolucionario Tupac Amaru” (MRTA) during the rescue operation of hostages at the residence of the Ambassador of Japan. The investigation included the exhumation and analysis of the remains morgue.

Since it was founded, members of the EPAF have provided their expertise in more than 19 cases for the Public Ministry, the judiciary and have acted as experts on behalf of the aggrieved parties.

In 2008 EPAF inaugurated the first Office of Missing Persons in Ayacucho, Peru as part of a 5 year agreement with the regional government of Ayacucho.

In the same year, EPAF held training programs for prosecutors, judges and civil society workers in the Philippines in conjunction with the American Bar Association and the Asia Foundation and in Venezuela in conjunction with Freedom House.