Utilizing Forensic Technologies for Unidentified Human Remains: Death Investigation Resources, Strategies, and Disconnects

In missing and unidentified investigations, an abyss of dissonance seems to exist between law enforcement and the community they serve that all too often creates grating wounds that may never heal. Utilizing Forensic Technologies for Unidentified Human Remains: Death Investigation Resources, Strategies, and Disconnects bridges this abyss. This is the first book that provides comprehensive coverage of the tools for forensic, law enforcement, and investigative professionals to explain how to utilize the vast repositories of online databases of evidence that can help investigators solve cold cases. Bringing together crucial information in a single, non-technical resource, the book reviews the use of the NCIC, CODIS, NamUs, IDENT, IAFIS, and NDIR databases. It employs a cross-disciplinary approach to forensic evidence and includes dozens of examples where these techniques have concluded in positive results. The book presents the material in a blended medium of both conceptual and nonfiction environments so that students, educators, investigators, families, and the public at large can easily understand. It includes dozens of examples that illustrate cases where current databases and investigative tools have yielded positive identification results. Helping to unite families and law enforcement, this book will assuage future dissonance through understanding and transparency. After reading this book, you will gain the understanding required to develop effective strategies for the investigation of unresolved cases with a deep sense of purpose for both family and law enforcement.

Table of Contents:
Concepts. Complacency. Biases. By the Numbers. Resources, Strategies, and Disconnects. DNA. CODIS and NMPDD. SCJIS and NCIC. NamUs. Metadata. Dental Resources. Translational Technologies. Next Generation Identification. Rapid DNA Technology and Sentinel Events. Next Generation Sequencing and Stable Isotope Analysis. Initial Strategy and Value-Based Leadership. Initial Strategy Development. Values-Based Leadership. Final Thoughts.

About the Author :
George Adams is the former national director of operations and director of finance for the National Missing and Unidentified Person’s System (NamUs), which is a national centralized repository and resource center for missing persons and unidentified decedent records. NamUs currently, as of 2015, operates under The Forensic Services Unit of the University of North Texas: Center for Human Identification (UNTCHI). George served as the law enforcement representative on the NamUs Advisory Group Panel during the development stage of NamUs that was awarded to the National Forensic Science and Technology Center (NFSTC). He was also the main co-author of the NamUs solicitation that was awarded to the University of North Texas.

Review :
"I have recognized and acknowledged the work of George Adams for a number of years and share his passion to provide the families of unidentified murdered victims some closure in finally having their loved ones identified. ... George Adams has written this textbook entitled Utilizing Forensic Technologies for Unidentified Human Remains specifically for those families seeking closure and identification of their loved ones as well as the many law enforcement officers who have never worked an unidentified human remains case. Utilizing Forensic Technologies for Unidentified Human Remains is a masterful blend of ‘practice and theory.’ This textbook is the most comprehensive presentation of the combination of practical investigative protocols and the latest scientific forensic technology as it relates to the identification of unidentified human remains." —Vernon J. Geberth, M.S., M.P.S, Homicide and Forensic Consultant, Author of Practical Homicide Investigation, and Series Editor of Practical Aspects of Criminal and Forensic Investigations "This book provides an in-depth analysis and overview of concepts, resources and strategies, technological advances and challenges and integral human inputs particularly as it relates to leading investigations. Throughout the book, the central issue which becomes inescapable is the unconscious disconnect that occurs between law enforcement and the victims/families during the investigative stage. Understanding this disconnect is fundamental to enable better understanding and cooperation between parties which will allow parties to work better together and will inevitably redound to the benefit of all stakeholders." —Thame Pierre, The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences "Overall, the book is certainly useful in starting to look at strategies for unidentified remains cases, particularly for an investigator. The forensic specialist will find a valuable insight into the thought processes leading investigations and a good reference for basic DNA and next-generation DNA analyses." —Dr René Gapert, The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences "I have recognized and acknowledged the work of George Adams for a number of years and share his passion to provide the families of unidentified murdered victims some closure in finally having their loved ones identified. ... George Adams has written this textbook entitled Utilizing Forensic Technologies for Unidentified Human Remains specifically for those families seeking closure and identification of their loved ones as well as the many law enforcement officers who have never worked an unidentified human remains case. Utilizing Forensic Technologies for Unidentified Human Remains is a masterful blend of ‘practice and theory.’ This textbook is the most comprehensive presentation of the combination of practical investigative protocols and the latest scientific forensic technology as it relates to the identification of unidentified human remains." —Vernon J. Geberth, M.S., M.P.S, Homicide and Forensic Consultant, Author of Practical Homicide Investigation, and Series Editor of Practical Aspects of Criminal and Forensic Investigations