Advancements in DNA technology have revealed the identity of a 44-year-old jawbone discovered on a Central Coast Beach in 2020.
About 2.15pm on Thursday 11 June 2020, a member of the public attended Woy Woy Police Station to make a report after locating a jawbone in the sand on Umina Beach, near Sydney Avenue.
Officers from Brisbane Water Police District attended the beach and established a crime scene.
Since being seized, the bone was forensically examined; however, extensive traditional inquiries were made to establish identity without success.
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.
In March 2023, the Forensic Evidence & Technical Services Command's Science and Technology Unit implemented Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG), which 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 and 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.
In 1980, Henry was laid to rest following a coronial inquest; however, it was not known at the time the bone was missing.
The formal identification of the owner of the jawbone has now been referred to the Coroner.
Detective Inspector Ritchie Sim, Manager of the Missing Persons Registry, said this is 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. 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" Det Insp Sim said.
"Your DNA can not and will not be used in any criminal investigation. Missing person investigations are not criminal matters, and your DNA is not stored in any criminal or suspect data base. Your DNA will only be used to hopefully solve these cases and provide answers to your family.
"If you have reported a family member missing to police, and you have the Event number, I urge you to go to your local police station and provide your DNA if you haven't done so already. Just like in Mr Coleman's case, your relationship with the missing person can be several generations apart." Det Insp Sim said.
"If you don't have an Event reference number, you can still help. You can provide your DNA to commercial databases such as Gedmatch and Familytree DNA. As long as you tick the option to release your DNA for law enforcement purposes, we can use your DNA and hopefully solve a mystery."
"Your relative may have already been found, we just don't know as yet, as we haven't been able to identify them until now. This technology and capability now gives us the best opportunity yet, to achieve this." Det Insp Sim 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. Missing Persons Week runs between Sunday 28 July and Saturday 3 August 2024.
This year's 'Always Searching' campaign focuses on the dedication and continuing efforts of police to solve missing persons investigations.
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.
For more information on the campaign visit www.missingpersons.gov.au
As inquiries continue, police are appealing for anyone with information that may assist investigators to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.
