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Missing Persons Bureau website aims to identify bodies
Pictures of clothing found are also being put on the website
Pictures of unidentified bodies found across the UK are being put online on a new website that aims to help the authorities track missing people.
The Missing Persons Bureau currently holds records of 1,000 people who have not been identified, some dating back to the 1950s.
Its site will also be used to trace living people, such as those who have suffered memory loss.
Images deemed to be distressing will be marked with a warning.
Members of the public will be able to search cases and provide information online.
As well as the photographs, information under each entry may include an estimate of the age of the person discovered and details of the clothing they were wearing.
Any relevant details supplied by members of the public will given to police forces or the coroner in charge of the case.
“Start Quote
End Quote Joe Apps Missing Persons BureauIt will empower families to play an active part in the search for their loved ones”
The website also includes details of bodies discovered on the Isle of Man and Channel Islands.
The Missing Persons Bureau - which was run by the Met Police until 2008 and is currently a division of the Serious Organised Crime Agency - will become part of the new National Crime Agency next year.
Joe Apps, from the bureau, said: "The aim of the new site is to bring closure to the families and friends of the people featured.
"With new unidentified person cases we rely on modern forensic techniques for identification but on older cases we look to use every tool available and believe that case publicity is the best chance of getting images recognised.
"This will be the first time families of missing people have been able to search through records for themselves and it will empower families to play an active part in the search for their loved ones."
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Comment number 72.
dj mummy20th November 2012 - 11:51
I think it is a good idea. However to avoid any potential upset or misuse why don't they set up a scheme where family members who are searching for missing loved ones can register with the missing person bureau who then can issue them with a login code to access the website. That way only those who want to use the website for the correct purpose can do so.
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Comment number 33.
BPMKent20th November 2012 - 9:41
I support this. There may be some issues re the content of the website if, say, little ones saw it. But if it brings closure to people (although it can't bring them back) then it's worth it.
It's sad that this has to happen, but it should happen.
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Comment number 13.
illage220th November 2012 - 8:56
It's a good idea however what happens if a kid looks at that website? The last thing we want kids to see is dead bodies.
Parents should prevent their children from accessing this website.
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Comment number 11.
meagain20th November 2012 - 8:51
Hopefully it will bring some sort of closure if not comfort to many families of "missing loved ones" I cannot even begin to imagine being in their position.
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Comment number 5.
stereotonic20th November 2012 - 8:34
In theory it is a good idea for people who have lost loved ones, but i'd be afraid this will bring out the 'morbids'. I think we should be very wary of it. It could easily 'feed' depravity in some sick minds and maybe drive them on in their quest of evil. I just wonder how it will be 'policed'
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