Shoot me, I bare my chest A counter forensic investigation of the killing of Abu Sayed

SHOOT ME, I BARE MY CHEST

A counter forensic investigation of the killing of Abu Sayed


On July 16, 2024, Abu Sayed, a student activist at Begum Rokeya University in Rangpur, was killed during a protest. His death became a turning point in the July Uprising in Bangladesh, which ultimately toppled Sheikh Hasina’s government. The official narrative claimed that Sayed was killed by protesters using bricks and firearms. However, counter-forensic investigations have revealed a different story, exposing police responsibility and the use of lethal force. Drik Picture Library in Bangladesh and Forensic Architecture in the UK conducted thorough analyses, combining in-depth interviews, photogrammetry, heat maps, satellite imagery, and photographic and video evidence to expose inconsistencies in the official narrative, pointing to deliberate police actions and contradicting claims of protester violence.

1752311075Cameras-placed-into-our-3D-model-1600x900.jpg

View cones of the four cameras positioned within our 3D model. (Forensic Architecture, 2025)
 1752311282Heat-Map-illustrating-how-Abu-Sayed-was-not-part-of-the-crowd-the-moment-he-was-shot-768x432.jpg

A map illustrating Abu Sayed’s isolation from the crowd at the moment he was shot. (Forensic Architecture, 2025)

The Global Premier of the Film and Exhibition took place on Friday 11 July 2025 at DrikPath Bhobon, Dhaka. Jumanah Bawazir of Forensic Architecture will be delivering a public lecture today (12 July 2025), titled “Subverting State Narratives: Community experts and counter forensics” at 6 pm. The exhibition “Shoot me, I bare my chest” will be open from 3:00 – 8:00 pm, 11 – 26 July 2025.


Published: July 12, 2025

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