The national crisis of missing persons and unidentified human remains (MUHR) is a significant challenge in medicolegal death investigations, hindering closure for families, delaying criminal proceedings and impacting public safety. Thousands of individuals remain missing, and unidentified human remains continue to accumulate due to resource limitations, procedural gaps, and forensic challenges.
To help combat this issue, the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) established the Missing and Unidentified Human Remains (MUHR) Program, a federal initiative that provides critical funding to agencies working to resolve cases involving missing persons and unidentified remains. By leveraging advanced forensic technologies and fostering collaboration among key stakeholders, this initiative is making a tangible difference in solving these cases and reuniting families with their loved ones.
Understanding the Challenge
In 1993, a woman named Jennifer Marie Wilmer went missing at 21 years old in California and has not been found to this day. Her family advocated to make a change for those suffering from similar circumstances. In 1999, Jennifer’s law was enacted, eventually resulting in the MUHR grant program to ensure more resources are available to identify the remains of the missing. Under the parameters of Jennifer’s law, all MUHR grantees are required to report unidentified human remains into national databases, increasing the chance of identification and repatriation.
Unidentified human remains and long-term missing persons cases present complex forensic and investigative challenges. Limited access to forensic resources, outdated methods, and inconsistent case management and data sharing strategies contribute to the growing backlog of unresolved cases. Without proper identification, families remain in uncertainty, and potential criminal investigations are hindered.
According to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), there are over 13,000 unidentified individuals in the U.S. Many of these cases date back decades, highlighting the urgent need for forensic advancements, data-sharing improvements, and systematic coordination among agencies.
The MUHR Grant Program: Driving Solutions
The MUHR Program, managed by the BJA, funds state, local, and tribal agencies, as well as nonprofit organizations, to enhance forensic capabilities, improve case resolutions, and support families affected by unresolved cases.
This funding supports initiatives such as:
- DNA Analysis & Forensic Testing: Utilizing forensic investigative genetic genealogy (FIGG), advanced DNA extraction methods, and CODIS uploads to identify remains and link cases across jurisdictions.
- Case Management & Database Integration: Improving record-keeping, data-sharing, and interoperability among law enforcement, medical examiners, forensic labs, and missing persons organizations.
- Training & Capacity Building: Providing specialized training for forensic professionals, law enforcement, and other key stakeholders to improve investigative practices and forensic methodologies.
- Victim Services & Family Engagement: Supporting outreach efforts to assist families through trauma-informed approaches and transparent communication.
Since its inception, the MUHR Grant has enabled jurisdictions across the U.S. to close cold cases, bring closure to families, and prevent future backlogs of unidentified remains.
To date, MUHR Program funds have been used to:
- Make 24 identifications via Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) associations
- Make 13 identifications via direct DNA comparisons
- Make 21 identifications via other methodologies such as fingerprints
- Repatriate 39 cases to relatives or next of kin
Innovative Forensic Techniques in Action
DNA testing and FIGG have revolutionized the ability to identify human remains. By analyzing degraded DNA samples, forensic labs can now generate leads that were previously impossible to obtain. Programs funded by the MUHR grant are employing these cutting-edge techniques to match unidentified remains with known missing persons cases, leading to breakthroughs that have remained elusive for years.
Additionally, the use of advanced forensic anthropology, facial reconstruction, and isotope analysis is enhancing investigative efforts, providing new leads in cases that have gone cold.
A Victim-Centered Approach
At the core of the MUHR initiative is a victim-centered approach that prioritizes the dignity, rights, and well-being of missing persons and their families. Trauma-informed investigative methods ensure that families are supported throughout the process, with sensitivity to the emotional toll these cases carry.
When Jennifer’s law was enacted, Jennifer’s family wanted to create a system that would ease the suffering of the families and loved ones of those who went missing. When dealing with unidentified human remains, the loved ones searching for answers are the first priority, solving these cases gives the victim’s families and loved ones peace of mind and a sense of closure.
Why It Matters
The identification of missing and unidentified individuals is crucial for both families and the broader justice system. Resolving these cases provides long-overdue answers, supports criminal investigations, and strengthens public safety.
Over 600,000 individuals go missing every year in the United States, while 40,000 bodies that are recovered remain unidentified at any given time. Moreover, there is a large backlog of missing and unidentified human remains waiting to be tested and entered in national databases. This program helps reduce these backlogs and identify more of those individuals that go missing every single year.1
Jurisdictions that have implemented MUHR-funded programs have seen significant improvements in case resolutions. From long-missing individuals being reunited with their families to decades-old cold cases finally being solved, the impact of this initiative is profound. More information about the MUHR program can be found here: BJA MUHR Program
FY2025 MUHR Grant Funding Opportunities
The Bureau of Justice Assistance has announced the FY2025 Missing and Unidentified Human Remains (MUHR) Program funding opportunities, providing critical support to agencies working to resolve cases involving missing persons and unidentified remains. Applications are now open, with deadlines of October 10, 2025, for Grants.gov submissions and October 17, 2025, for JustGrants submissions. These grants give agencies the resources to enhance forensic capabilities, reduce backlogs, and provide answers to families of missing persons. Bode encourages agencies to take advantage of this funding and is here to partner with you throughout the application process, offering expertise and solutions to maximize the impact of your grant.