The Australian Federal Police (AFP) have launched the country’s first National DNA Program in Canberra, with the hope of identifying unknown Australians and resolving long-term missing persons’ cases.
The AFP said the new initiative, National DNA Program for Unidentified and Missing Persons, would harness modern forensic techniques to allow advanced DNA profiling and matching of unidentified human remains and missing persons nationally for the first time.
“There are an estimated 500 sets of unidentified human remains across Australia, and this program aims to give answers to families and police investigating cold cases who have spent years searching for answers,” the AFP said
“Some of these bones were discovered decades ago, with a portion of unidentified human remains from cold cases dating back from more than 50 years ago,” it said.
“The ultimate goal is to make it possible for final goodbyes and for the remains, which currently sit in mortuaries, labs and police stations across the country, to be laid to rest at last.”
The AFP said the program had been granted funding from the Proceeds of Crime funds and was expected to run for two and a half years.
AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw said the new program could “lift the lid” on many cold cases across the country and provide answers to the families of the 2,600 long-term missing persons in Australia.
“This program is possible due to the ill-gotten wealth of criminals that has been reinvested into the Australian community, to bring about lasting change for the families and friends with long-term missing loved ones,” Commissioner Kershaw said.
