The past, present and future state of missing persons investigations in Australia

Ward, J

The past, present and future state of missing persons investigations in Australia

Ward, J

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Publisher:: TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2018, 50, (6), pp. 708-722
Issue Date:: 2018-11-02

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Ward, J https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9359-9806
dc.date.accessioned	2022-09-03T02:40:53Z
dc.date.available	2022-09-03T02:40:53Z
dc.date.issued	2018-11-02
dc.identifier.citation	Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences, 2018, 50, (6), pp. 708-722
dc.identifier.issn	0045-0618
dc.identifier.issn	1834-562X
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/161241
dc.description.abstract	The 2005 ‘Palmer Inquiry’ highlighted the urgent need for the development of a national missing persons database, however a decade later Australia still does not have a national capability dedicated to missing persons identification. With an estimated 500 cases of unidentified human remains and 2000 long-term missing persons in Australia, there is still a pressing need for the establishment of a national identification program. I believe a DNA-led approach is essential for the effective and efficient identification of Australia’s unknown and missing citizens. Despite DNA being used worldwide to identify large numbers of victims of war, genocide or mass disasters, the processing of DNA samples for routine missing persons investigations is under-addressed and under-resourced in Australia, resulting in current casework backlogs. The combination of technological advancements in DNA profiling, enhanced national databasing capabilities, publication of a national missing persons policy and international best practice guidelines, increasing community awareness of missing persons cases, and a passionate Churchill Fellow, is a recipe for successfully driving a national missing persons capability from concept to reality. However, success will be dependent on the provision of adequate government, policing and forensic resources, at a time when Australian law enforcement is challenged with competing operational priorities.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
dc.relation.ispartof	Australian Journal of Forensic Sciences
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1080/00450618.2018.1466535
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccess
dc.subject.classification	Legal & Forensic Medicine
dc.title	The past, present and future state of missing persons investigations in Australia
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	50
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CFS - Centre for Forensic Science
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Science/School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access	*
dc.date.updated	2022-09-03T02:40:52Z
pubs.issue	6
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	50
utslib.citation.issue	6

Abstract:

The 2005 ‘Palmer Inquiry’ highlighted the urgent need for the development of a national missing persons database, however a decade later Australia still does not have a national capability dedicated to missing persons identification. With an estimated 500 cases of unidentified human remains and 2000 long-term missing persons in Australia, there is still a pressing need for the establishment of a national identification program. I believe a DNA-led approach is essential for the effective and efficient identification of Australia’s unknown and missing citizens. Despite DNA being used worldwide to identify large numbers of victims of war, genocide or mass disasters, the processing of DNA samples for routine missing persons investigations is under-addressed and under-resourced in Australia, resulting in current casework backlogs. The combination of technological advancements in DNA profiling, enhanced national databasing capabilities, publication of a national missing persons policy and international best practice guidelines, increasing community awareness of missing persons cases, and a passionate Churchill Fellow, is a recipe for successfully driving a national missing persons capability from concept to reality. However, success will be dependent on the provision of adequate government, policing and forensic resources, at a time when Australian law enforcement is challenged with competing operational priorities.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/161241