DNA helps identify jawbone found at Umina Beach
A jawbone found on Umina Beach in June 2020 has been identified as belonging to 17-year-old Henry Coleman, who died in an accidental drowning in August 1980.
Police have revealed the identification during Missing Persons Week.
They have attributed the identification to "advancements in DNA technology".
Missing Persons Registry manager Detective Inspector Ritchie Sim said it was an example of the importance of public involvement in providing familial DNA to solve missing persons' cases, including unidentified remains.
"This investigation showcases the importance of DNA testing in missing person cases."
Woy Woy resident Ms Toyah Evans made the discovery on Thursday, June 11, 2020, while walking her dogs along the beach near Sydney Ave.
Ms Evans put the bone in a doggie bag before reporting it to Brisbane Water Police, who sent it to Newcastle Mortuary for examination where it was confirmed to be a human jawbone.
"Extensive traditional inquiries were made to establish identity without success," said DI Sim.
"A DNA profile from the bone was retrieved, with initial investigations determining the jawbone was that of a teenage male.
"Initial DNA analysis failed to identify any direct, familial or genealogical matches."
He said that, in March last year, the Science and Technology Unit of the Police Forensic Evidence and Technical Services Command undertook "genetic genealogy".
"This combines new DNA analysis techniques and traditional genealogy to identify suspects and unknown remains using commercial DNA databases.
"Detectives, scientists, and analysts worked together to exclude two other cases and identified a genetic link to a possible living relative.
"A voluntary sample was obtained from the relative.
"Following further DNA analysis, the bone was confirmed to be that of Henry Coleman, who died aged 17, following an accidental drowning on the Central Coast in August 1980."
A coronial inquest was undertaken at the time, but it was not known that the bone was missing.
"The formal identification of the jawbone has now been referred to the Coroner.
"Without the amazing, combined work by our detectives, scientists and analysts, we never would have been able to return these remains to their resting place and find answers for Mr Coleman's family.
"The theme of this year's National Missing Persons Week is 'Always Searching' and this investigation is a fantastic example to show we never give up.
"This investigation has taken four years and we can't be happier with the result with the most rewarding part being, giving the news to Mr Coleman's family" DI Sim said.
He said DNA contributed to missing person investigations can not and will not be used in any criminal investigation.
"Missing persons are not criminal matters, and your DNA is not stored in any criminal or suspect data base.
"You can provide your DNA to commercial databases such as Gedmatch and Familytree DNA.
"This technology and capability now gives us the best opportunity yet," he said.
Missing Persons Week is an annual national campaign to showcase missing persons and unidentified bodies and human remains cases and raise awareness of the issues and impacts surrounding these incidents.
"If you have been reported as missing it means that someone is concerned about your safety and welfare.
"You should attend the nearest police station with identification so that Police can ascertain that you are safe and well.
"It is not a crime to go missing and Police will respect your privacy if you don't wish to disclose your location to your family."
SOURCE:
Website, 28 Jul 2024
Ritchie Sim, NSW Police