The database, known as the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System or NamUs, now
(includes) data from some 17,000 cases, but depends heavily on local coroners, medical examiners and law
(enforcement) officials to add DNA information from bodies they find and case details from families whose
relatives have gone missing.
So far, the authorities say the database has helped resolve 126 missing persons cases and 64 cases involving
(unidentified) remains.
“Because of DNA, we’re resolving cases that could not, would not have been resolved years ago,” said Ernie
Allen, the president of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. “But the (challenge) is just to
get everybody using these systems and capturing DNA that can be loaded in.”
The Gacy case, of course, is drawing (particular) interest. Scientists in Texas are comparing the DNA
samples from the remains of Mr. Gacy’s unnamed (victims) to samples from the family members of those
who fear their relatives may have been his victims. Already, at least one family, which was preparing to
submit DNA samples to Sheriff Dart’s office, has its answer: a man (relatives) long believed to be a victim of
Mr. Gacy turned up alive and well in South Florida.
