Yesterday was the launch of the 2023 National Missing Persons Week, which concludes on Saturday. This year the ‘Can you solve this case?’ campaign is focused on eight cases involving unidentified human remains.
While forensic experts continue to examine the remains, police hope the public can piece together other clues that could help match them with one of the more than 2500 long-term missing persons cases on file in Australia.
The AFP’s National Missing Persons Coordination Centre, working with state and territory law enforcement agencies, has created an online ‘investigative board’ to provide amateur sleuths with a detailed detective’s overview of the cases.
Vital clues such as clothing and objects found at the scene of the human remains and craniofacial reconstructions can be viewed in 3D animation.
Cutting-edge technology
The craniofacial reconstruction highlights how the AFP uses cutting-edge technology to continue investigating old cases.
As part of its National DNA Program for Unidentified and Missing Persons (Program) capabilities, AFP forensic specialists are able to use new tools to estimate an unidentified individual’s year of birth and death, ancestral origin, hair and eye colour, facial appearance and genetic relatives.
The reconstruction used this year is from remains found in the Northern Territory with forensic testing conducted by the Program determining the remains belonged to an Aboriginal female who was older than 18, however, DNA testing has revealed no database links to relatives.
AFP Assistant Commissioner Hans Koenderink said community members were law enforcement’s most important partners and this campaign provided them an insider’s view of the AFP’s work and forensic capabilities.
The increasing popularity of ‘true crime’
‘This campaign capitalises on the increasing popularity of the ‘true crime’ genre and, challenges the community to delve into the case files just like our AFP forensic officers do everyday,’ he said.
‘The AFP and state and territory police forces are this year focusing on unidentified human remains cases – as they are not just case numbers but are unknown individuals who have names, families and stories that deserve to be told.
‘For these loved ones, living with the uncertainty about the whereabouts and safety of a loved one can be a traumatic experience that can last for weeks, months or, sadly, years.
‘In Australia, there are 750 unidentified human remains and 2500 long-term missing persons cases.
‘The community plays a critical role in helping police with information that can help to solve a missing persons case.’
Eight unidentified persons
The eight unidentified persons nominated by the AFP’s state and territory counterparts to be featured in this year’s campaign are located at Pyrmont (NSW), Leanyer (NT), the Stretton Wetlands (QLD), King’s Beach (SA), Mt Osmond (SA), Pardoe Beach (TAS), the Dandenong Ranges (VIC) and, Chidlow (WA).
New South Wales
In New South Wales the State Crime Command’s Missing Persons Registry has received 42 reports, and 20 confirmed reports, of unidentified bodies and human remains found in NSW.
Of those 20 confirmed reports, the Missing Persons Registry has successfully identified nine of those people through varying investigative techniques, including advancements in the science of DNA, five other were also accounted for, and six remain the subject of ongoing investigations.
From Kiama to Moree and Byron Bay
Those six unidentified remains were found in various parts of the state: from Kiama to Moree and Byron Bay.
In March 2023, the New South Wales Police Force implemented Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG), which has commenced for seven other unidentified human remains cases to date.
FIGG combines new DNA analysis techniques and traditional genealogy to identify suspects and unknown remains using commercial DNA databases.
Detective Inspector Ritchie Sim, Manager of the Missing Persons Registry, said modern technology goes a long way in helping police find answers for the loved ones of missing people, but there is still more the public can do.
Voluntarily providing DNA
‘This year for Missing Persons Week we’re making a call to action for members of the public to come forward and help us solve some of these mysteries through voluntarily providing their DNA,’ said Det Insp Sim.
‘There’s two ways people can provide their DNA – the first and foremost way is if you have a distant relative believed to be missing, you can come into any police station, cite their name or case number, and provide a DNA sample which will be placed on the National DNA Database used to compare with unidentified human remains.
‘The second is if you’re a member of the public who wants to share their DNA for the purpose of helping the Missing Persons Registry identify bodies and human remains, you can supply your DNA through most public DNA databases such as GEDmatch or Family Tree DNA.
Det Insp Sim there’s a misconception around providing DNA to police – that it could be used against you for criminal matters. ‘That’s just not the case.
‘Missing persons investigations are not criminal investigations – our one goal is to ultimately identify these remains and provide families and loved ones of missing people the answers they deserve.
Are you the missing link?
‘Throughout the week we’re going to be shining a light on some various outstanding unidentified remains and asking you, are you the missing link?’
Anyone with information that may assist investigators is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
In Australia, a missing person is defined as anyone who is reported missing to police, whose whereabouts are unknown, and where there are fears for the safety or concern for the welfare of that person. A long-term missing person is someone who has been missing for more than three months.
In 2022, there were over 55,000 missing persons reports made to police in Australia. This is nearly 150 missing reports per day.
National Missing Persons Week
Members of the community sharing their stories and support throughout NMPW 2023 are encouraged to use the hashtag #NMPW2023.
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