Convergence of Advances in Science, Technology, and Investigative Skills

• NCJ Number: 228757
• Journal: Police Chief Volume: 76 Issue: 10 Dated: October 2009 Pages: 44,46,48,,50,52
• Author(s): Julian Fantino
• Date Published: October 2009
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

After reviewing procedures for managing cases of missing persons and unidentified human remains in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, this article describes the recently implemented Resolve Initiative in Canada, which is a multijurisdictional system for managing cases of missing persons and unidentified bodies.

Abstract

Apparently there is no centralized comprehensive database for missing persons and unidentified human remains in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and many other countries. Neither is there a comprehensive reporting policy for cases of missing persons or unidentified human remains in these countries. The reporting of missing persons and unidentified human remains is mostly done in these countries at the discretion of the agency directing the investigation. Each jurisdiction has multiple police agencies and multiple medical examiner authorities that handle these cases. In Canada, however, there is a promising initiative underway called the Resolve Initiative. It began in 2006 as a coordinated investigative approach that involved the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Office of the Chief Coroner for Ontario (OCC). The British Columbia Coroners Service (BCCS) joined this partnership in 2008. This unique partnership, the first of its kind in Canada, has the primary goal of matching missing persons with unidentified human remains. An integral component of the Resolve Initiative is an OPP-developed analytical software application. This application is used to facilitate the collection, storage, analysis, and dissemination of information relating to both missing persons and unidentified human remains cases. Unidentified human remains cases from all police services in Ontario and British Columbia are included in this initiative and are available for comparison against records of missing people. The Resolve Initiative provides an avenue for public participation through a toll-free tip line and a dedicated e-mail service. 10 notes