MSP working to identify 300 bodies

The Michigan State Police have 300 cases of unidentified human remains across the state and a special team of the Michigan State Police is working to bring closure to families.

Three years ago Friday, the body of a man in his 50s was found in the woods in Romulus. The Michigan State Police Missing Persons Unit recently identified him. The success story is all too rare.

Nearly 80 percent of all unidentified bodies found in the state are discovered in southeast Michigan.  Many are crime victims buried in nameless graves.

Sarah Krebs leads the unit trying to clear up cold cases. In spite of scientific advances, the job isn’t getting easier. Families often don’t file a missing person report and medical examiners sometimes don’t enter the information they have on a body into criminal databases where they can be tracked.

“There’s currently no legislation in Michigan requiring medical examiners to take the DNA from the bodies that they bury,” Krebs said. “It’s a big problem when you’re trying to solve a case by DNA and the body that you would like to connect it to is six feet under.”

Prior to 2013, DNA and dental samples were not taken before a body was buried.

There is a government database of these cases where loved ones can search for the missing and law enforcement can connect distant dots. Visit the database here.

With federal grants, MSP stepped up to make sure pre-burial samples are taken.

A special event is scheduled at the Detroit Public Safety Headquarters for families and friends of missing persons to connect with MSP. Officers will take tips on old cases and information on any new cases. Local law enforcement will be on hand to answer questions and child ID kits will also be given out.

Families of missing persons are encouraged to bring at least two biological relatives to the event for family reference samples and any police reports, x-rays or other identifying objects.

The event will be held May 14 between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.