This $1,000,000 Project Grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) under the Missing and Unidentified Human Remains (MUHR) Program (CFDA 16.050) will fund a statewide initiative in Pennsylvania to reduce the number of missing persons (MP) and unidentified human remains (UHR) cases. The key products and services to be delivered include:
-
Surveying county and state agencies to inventory MP and UHR cases, assess case status and needs, and prioritize forensic testing and analysis.
-
Conducting scientific testing and analyses such as genetic DNA analysis, fingerprint submissions, forensic anthropological examinations, and facial/clothing reconstructions for up to 60 qualifying cases.
-
Entering case details into national databases like the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), National Crime Information Center (NCIC), and Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (ViCAP).
-
Facilitating the repatriation of identified remains to families through local coroners, medical examiners, and law enforcement.
The University of South Florida (USF) was awarded this 3-year grant, which begins on October 1, 2023 and runs through September 30, 2026. The project aims to establish a multi-agency taskforce to address the reporting, analysis, and repatriation of human remains, with a focus on marginalized groups whose cases have been disproportionately ignored.
Generated 8/13/24, 8:29 AM