AUSTRALIA - First independent forensics lab targeting cold cases

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28 February 2025 www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-01/independent-forensics-laboratory-identify-remains-missing-people/104923390

In short:​

Australia's first independent forensic science laboratory service is established to assist with high demand for DNA testing and body identification.
There are currently about 700 sets of human remains on police files, and countless more in storage due to confusion about their origin or identity.

What's next?
Families of long-term missing people will be able to utilise the service to progress investigations independent of police.​

Dr Jodie Ward worked with the AFP to create the National DNA Program for Unidentified and Missing Persons, which was able to forensically test 99 of the unidentified remains. That resulted in 19 being matched with long-term missing persons, bringing closure to families who had lived with years of uncertainty. But funding for the program concluded in 2024 and Dr Ward is now partnering with the Australian Centre for Ancient DNA at Adelaide University to create an independent forensics team.​

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Video posted 4 days ago
Australian Federal Police (AFP) representative Kelly Grisedale was interviewed at ISHI. She said the Australian National DNA Program for Unidentified and Missing Persons (which ended earlier this year), was referred 99 cases over a 2 year period and solved about 56. These included determining some to be ancient first nations remains but they also ID more modern unidentified remains.