As announced in a November 23, 2021, press release, the Department of Justice is committing $800,000 to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) specifically to increase the program’s capacity to provide outreach, investigative support, and forensic services to cases involving American Indians and Alaska Natives.
The funds are made available from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) through a transfer to the National Institute of Justice, the division of the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs (OJP) that manages NamUs.
“Every instance of an American Indian or Alaska Native reported missing or found murdered is an issue of vital public safety concern, not to mention a matter of great personal distress for that person’s loved ones and friends,” said BJA Acting Director Kristen Mahoney. “We hope that this new investment of resources helps provide information to resolve these cases in a manner that helps bring answers and ensures that justice is served.”
Read the OJP press release to learn more.