Mountain State Times

The West Virginia Department of Health’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, in collaboration with the West Virginia State Police, the West Virginia Fusion Center, and Marshall University, has announced the formation of the West Virginia Forensic Genealogy Commission. This initiative is focused on accelerating the identification process for unidentified human remains to provide closure to families across the state.

State legislators, including Senators Vince Deeds and Tom Takubo, were instrumental in championing the legislation that led to this commission's establishment. Secretary of Health Sherri Young highlighted its significance: "This represents a crucial step in restoring hope and closure to families facing the pain of uncertainty. We will leverage the latest forensic technology to treat unidentified remains with dignity."

Matt Izzo, Chief Administrator of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, stated that this collaboration aims to streamline submissions and tackle backlogs from previous procedures. An agreement with Marshall University and the West Virginia State Police Forensic Lab facilitates DNA profiling of unidentified remains. So far, over 32 cases have been processed for potential matches through CODIS or direct familial comparisons via Marshall University's Forensic Science Center. Law enforcement will assist by collecting reference samples from family members when necessary.

Laura Kuyper, Director of Marshall University Forensic Science Center, expressed support: "We are honored to support this program which will enhance traditional DNA testing with next-generation sequencing technologies."

Senator Vince Deeds remarked on his law enforcement experience: "As a former law enforcement officer, I know how vital it is to provide closure to families. This commission is a powerful tool for identifying the unidentified and a lifeline for those seeking answers." Senator Tom Takubo emphasized government-private sector partnerships: "This partnership illustrates the power of strong government support for private-public collaborations, showcasing incredible outcomes that can be achieved."

Jack Luikart from the Fusion Center added: “We are very thankful for the opportunity and look forward to collaborating in efforts bringing new technology and resources to our state’s law enforcement.”

Since its launch in late spring, two positive identifications have been made within three months under ongoing investigations. If initial efforts prove inconclusive, partnerships with RGEN Company and West Virginia Fusion Center aim at creating genealogical profiles using ancestry databases as another identification avenue.