Investigative Resources For Cold Cases, Long Term Missing Cases and Unidentified Human Remains “Science is the catalyst in providing access, transparency and truth in these cases”
National Center Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) | www.missingkids.org • CyberTipline • Long Term Missing Guide for Law • NCMEC Analyst examines and evaluates “tips” Enforcement • Researches for additional relative information • Published in 2016 • Determines potential jurisdictional issues for • http://www.missingkids.com/publ investigators ications/longtermmissingguide • Provides other important information for law • Forensic Service Unit enforcement • Project Alert • Other agencies which work with NCMEC via this and other programs/services: • Team Adam • FBI-ICE • Biometrics • US Postal Inspectors • Secret Service • Forensic Imaging • US Marshalls • US Military
National Missing and Unidentified Persons System: NamUs • National Institute of Justice's National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) • Centralized repository and resource center for missing persons and unidentified decedent records • Free online system that can be searched by medical examiners, coroners, law enforcement officials and the general public • Three databases: • Missing Persons Database: contains information about missing persons that can be entered by anyone; verified before it appears as a case • Unidentified Persons Database: contains information entered by medical examiners and coroners (people who have died and whose bodies have not been identified) • Unclaimed Persons Database: contains information about deceased persons who have been identified by name, but for whom no next of kin or family member has been identified or located to claim the body for burial or other disposition; only medical examiners and coroners may enter cases in the unclaimed persons database • When a new missing persons or unidentified decedent case is entered into NamUs, the system automatically performs cross-matching comparisons between the databases, searching for matches or similarities between cases • NamUs provides free DNA testing and other forensic services, such as anthropology and odontology assistance
Cause and Manner of Death | Estimated Time of Death: Imperative Issues
Fingerprints and other biometrics essential to these investigations • Biometrics are the measureable biological (anatomical or physiological) or behavioral characteristics used for positive ID of an individual living or deceased: • Latent ridge impressions vs. fingerprints • DNA • Voice patterns • Palm prints • Facial patterns
Federal Bureau of Investigation: Biometrics and Computer Forensics Labs Also: FBI Regional Computer Forensics Labs • • FBI-RCFLs located throughout the US Digital Forensics- application of science, • technology and engineering specific to the recovery of digital data in a legally acceptable method • Facilitated through various software programs, operating systems and specific technologies Capable of locating deleted, encrypted or • damaged file information that may serve as important evidence to include or exclude suspects, or to identify or locate child victims
Other FBI Services: VICAP
LSU Faces Laboratory: Resources for Law Enforcement Coroners in Unresolved Cases • Will assist in out of state cases • Determination of whether or not remains are human • Recovery assistance • Biological profile and trauma analysis • Forensic imaging • DNA Sample collection • Positive ID services • Final reports / testimony documentation • http://www.lsu.edu/faceslab
Child Protective and Domestic Violence Services: Critical in the Resolution of Child Homicide Cases • Child Protective Services • Mandated Reporter • Previous indications of abuse • Can provide manner, motive, opportunity and recidivistic behavior • Can provide information on intra-familial history, patterns, etc. which can assist in cold cases • Domestic Violence Services • Previous histories • Missing spouse • Motivational issues • Orders of protection • Incidents of previous violence
Other Important Investigative Resources • The Doe Network International Center for • State Missing Persons Clearinghouses Unidentified and Missing Persons www.missingkids.com/clearinghouses ( www.doenetwork.org ) • Rand Report on Cold Case • Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Investigations Forces ( www.rand.org/pubs/technical_repor ts/TR948.html ) • Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) Enforcement • Internet Crimes Against Children Task Forces ( www.icactaskforce.org ) • Other Cold Case Units / Organizations (Crime Stoppers, America’s Most Wanted) • University of North Texas Center for Human Identification • Wanted poster dissemination/networks ( www.untchi.org ) (state, local and national)
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