Expanding Forensic Services for the Missing and Unidentified: CHI’s National Initiative to Support Underserved and Tribal Communities

The Center for Human Identification (CHI) at the University of North Texas Health Science Center is implementing a national initiative aimed at improving the resolution of missing persons and unidentified human remains cases. This effort prioritizes support for communities that often encounter limited resources and jurisdictional complexities, including small, rural, and tribal entities. Particular attention is given to cases involving missing migrants and American Indian and Alaska Native individuals, who have historically experienced barriers to forensic services.

CHI’s program offers comprehensive assistance across four key areas. First, outreach activities inform agencies about available forensic resources, including DNA testing and the submission of profiles to the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). Second, the program provides logistical support for DNA sample collection by supplying free buccal swab kits, offering training, and coordinating with local collection agencies. Third, CHI performs a range of forensic DNA analyses tailored to each case, including autosomal STRs, Y-STRs, mitochondrial DNA, and single nucleotide polymorphism testing. Finally, the program maintains ongoing communication with submitting agencies to share results, ensure entry into relevant databases and identification processes as appropriate.

This presentation will describe the structure and impact of this service model, with a focus on addressing forensic inequities and strengthening case resolution in historically underserved populations.