Investigators in southern Mexico will compare the DNA of several bodies found in a recently dug, shallow grave against those of collected from most of the families of 43 missing students.  The youths were last seen being herded by police after a violent confrontation.

Mexican Federal troops quickly took over the search and investigation, and are guarding the pits where the bodies were found.  It’s not confirmed that the grisly discovery is linked to the missing students, but 22 police officers where placed under arrest.  Mexico’s National Human Rights Commission opened its own investigation into the case for possible “serious human rights abuses” such as extrajudicial executions and forced disappearances.

On 27 September, the students had traveled to the town of Iguala in Guerrero state to take part in a protest for teachers’ rights.  But things went horribly awry: Cops opened fire on the protesters, killing six people.  Witnesses say the cops forced the students into police vans.