The University of North Texas Center for Human Identification (UNTCHI) - BJA FY24 Missing and Unidentified Human Remains (MUHR) Program Proposal

The University of North Texas Health Science Center in Fort Worth’s Center for Human Identification (UNTCHI) will implement a comprehensive, multi-agency collaboration to improve the reporting, transportation, processing, identification of missing persons cases. UNTCHI seeks funding under Purpose Area 3 (services to assist small, rural, and/or tribal entities) to support missing migrant and American Indian and Alaskan Native populations which have historically been underserved, and the associated tribal and/or law enforcement agencies that often face unique resource and/or jurisdictional challenges that impede case resolutions. This project will provide assistance to agencies across the nation in four focus areas to support missing migrant and American Indian and Alaskan Native cases: outreach to small, rural, and/or tribal entities investigating missing persons and unidentified persons cases regarding UNTCHI’s ability to perform DNA testing and entry of DNA profiles into the Combined DNA Index System; provide support regarding DNA collections by locating courtesy collection agencies, providing buccal swab collection kits at no cost, providing buccal swab collection training, and providing consultation of the appropriateness of forensic genetic genealogy testing dependent on case details; perform autosomal DNA, mitochondrial DNA, Y-Short Tandem Repeat DNA and Single Nucleotide Polymorphism testing as appropriate in each case for unidentified human remains, family reference samples, or direct reference samples; and communication with submitting agencies regarding case conclusions, including but not limited to entry into all applicable databases, tracking medicolegal identifications and documenting repatriation of remains, as appropriate.