Unidentified victims 1151/2024

FOI Reference: 1151/2024

Request:

I am writing to request the following data for these specific cases retrieved from the National Crime Agency, UK Missing Persons Unit database for Unidentified victims in your police force. This data will be used in a doctoral research relating to cold case investigations involving unidentified individuals. The purpose of the study is to collect data from different cases that involve unidentified individuals and to create a database that could provide an understanding of what forensic techniques are being used, whether they are being used effectively and what other techniques can be used to improve the investigations of cold cases in general.

I would be extremely grateful if you could fill out the information presented below in response to this FOI request. If a case that you present is required to be anonymous, can you please mention a code that will be used instead?

Cases in question:

06-021783

03-000611

04-006035

Questions to be answered for each case:

1. Anonymous code for case
2. Manner of death
3. During the original investigation, were any forensic techniques considered? What were they?
4. Since the original investigation, has the case been re-evaluated?
5. If re-evaluated, what were the forensic techniques considered/used.
6. Have the forensic techniques bought any significant leads to the case?
7. Did forensic techniques lead to efficient investigations?
8. During the entire investigation of the case, were any forensic experts consulted?
9. Were there any specific restrictions during the investigation, like time and funding?

Response:

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.

Case: 06-021783

1. 6322A75-C7
2. Unascertained
3. DNA comparison to national databases, forensic odontologist–SGM+ profile
4. Yes
5. Familial DNA comparison from members of the public
6. No
7. Proportionate and correct lines of enquiry followed.
8. Forensic scientist, HM pathologist, forensic archaeologist, forensic odontologist.
9. None

Response:

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.

Case: 03-000611

1. 6322A75-C5
2. Unascertained
3. Fingerprints recovered / DNA profile recovered – compared with database.
4. Yes – PRUM checks on fingerprints
5. No further forensic tests – PRUM checks on existing.
6. No
7. Proportionate and correct lines of enquiry followed.
8. HM pathologist, fingerprint experts, toxicologist, forensic scientist, odontologist.
9. None

Response:

I can confirm that Dyfed-Powys Police does hold the information requested, as outlined below.

Case: 04-006035

1. 6322A75-C4
2. Unascertained
3. DNA sample obtained and compared to national databases but no matches, facial re construction. Fingerprints (4 marks) developed and compared to AFR, NAfis and Ident 1 in 2000 and 2002.
4. Yes – compared with DNA from member of the public from Canada - negative
5. Further comparison of the fingerprints on PRUM database - negative
6. No
7. Proportionate and correct lines of enquiry followed.
8. Consultant dental surgeon, HM pathologist
9. None                                               

(This is a response under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and disclosed on 10/03/2025)