A SCOTTISH university is to set up a cold case unit to help investigate unsolved missing person cases.
Criminology students at Glasgow Caledonian University will review case files and search for new evidence, working alongside the families of missing loved ones and specialists in investigation, forensic science and intelligence analysis, as part of the unique project.
GCU will become the first university in Scotland to develop a cold case unit in partnership with Locate International, a community interest company that works with higher education institutions to help progress historical cases.
Figures show there are more than 4000 people in the UK who have been missing for more than a year and there are around 1000 unsolved cases involving unidentified human remains.
From a dedicated base on campus, a small number of GCU students will review and investigate cases of missing persons and put the theory that they have been taught in class into practice. Students studying Criminology will make up the initial team.
Around 15 other UK universities are involved in the project, bringing in expertise from policing, forensic science, and journalism.
Dr Maureen Taylor, a lecturer in criminology and a former forensic investigator and criminal intelligence analyst, and director of the GCU Cold Case Unit, said: “Some of these cases are decades old and have caused families a huge amount of distress.
“Working with Locate International and developing the cold case unit is a unique collaboration that offers the opportunity to not only give hope to the families of missing loved ones but to develop novel solutions to cold case investigations and analytical capabilities.
“The cold case unit will provide students with the opportunity to receive fantastic training in investigation, intelligence and analysis.”
She continued: “It is a very exciting project that will help to not only develop future investigators but also bring answers to families of the missing.”
It’s hoped the students will begin training in the summer and work on the first case will start in September.
Dave Grimstead, co-founder of Locate International, said: “It is a real privilege for us to collaborate with Glasgow Caledonian University.
“The students will develop their interdisciplinary and leadership skills in a practical way providing a service for the families of the missing and progressing cases that might not otherwise get the focused attention that they deserve.”
For more information, visit www.locate.international.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here