Missing Persons
The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences works to identify and reunite deceased individuals received by the Institute with their families. For those decedents who are unable to be identified, the Institute creates and makes available to the public Unidentified Decedent Fliers that include descriptions of each of the deceased in hopes of returning them to their families.
The list of Unidentified Decedent Fliers is organized by the date the deceased individual was received at the Institute of Forensic Sciences. If you are searching for a loved one, please keep in mind that there may be both short and long periods of time that pass between when the person was last seen living and when they are received by the Institute.
In addition, the fliers feature descriptions of the deceased, including demographics (estimated age, race, sex and stature), scars, marks, tattoos, and personal items found on or near the deceased individual. Other descriptors are estimated using pathologic, anthropologic and dental findings. Possible matches should not be eliminated based on strict comparison with the estimates and information provided.
Missing Persons, For information on possible matches, please contact:
Institute’s Identification Unit
(713) 796-6744
For individuals who need to report a missing loved one, please contact your local law enforcement agency. Only a law enforcement agency can initiate a regional and national search for missing persons.
The National Institute of Justice's National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)
NamUs is a national, centralized repository and resource center for missing persons. It is a bilingual, free online system searchable by law enforcement officials, medical examiner personnel and the general public in hopes of resolving these cases. NameUs also provides free DNA testing and other forensic services such as anthropology and odontology assistance. Click the image to the left to visit their site.
