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“We want to ensure that everything is in place so that we can bring remains that are discovered [and] provide those answers back to the families as efficiently and effectively as we can, now that we have new forensic techniques [and] new forensic databases,” she said.

In the case of Thomas Welsby Clark, a partial DNA profile was obtained when his remains were exhumed in 2006, but it wasn’t until further DNA testing was carried out on the sample with the latest technology that a match was made with a male descendent last year, proving his identity.

Ward is excited about new capabilities that the program will soon utilise, like cranio-facial reconstruction, where a 3D scan is taken of a skull and then forensic artists build up surface details on the face to show what the person may have looked like. Previously only available offshore, she says the Australian program will incorporate this technology within the next two months.

Samples have also been sent off to the US for forensic genealogy testing, Ward said, and the team is trying to implement a similar process in Australia so that doesn’t have to be outsourced.

“We want every set of remains in Australia to be subjected to the best types of testing and ensure they are all being treated equally,” she said.

As well as improving what’s possible for every set of Australian remains already found, Ward says having the database also promotes best practices when it comes to new missing persons investigations, and will help to ensure as much data is already at hand to use when new technology arrives.

Ultimately, the success of the program relies on families of missing persons providing police and forensic investigators with vital information, records and samples for comparison. Which means that time is of the essence, especially in cases that are decades old.

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