http://www.nbc4.com/news/11281039/detail.html

RICHMOND, Va. -- Across Virginia, 47 unidentified bodies remain unclaimed in the offices of medical examiners.

This summer, family and friends who may be looking for them will finally get a chance at closure when photographs and information of all 47 bodies will be featured on a Web site, the Unidentified Deceased Reporting System. http://www.nbc4.com/news/11281039/%20http:...rs.orainc.com//

The National Association of Medical Examiners and The International Association of Coroners and Medical Examiners developed the site as a public service project. So far, it includes 380 cases from across the country, though none are from Virginia.


Virginia Chief Medical Examiner Marcella Fierro said that will soon change.

"If someone is sitting in a medical examiner's office unidentified and there's a family looking for him or her, who should you connect them to? The person who has the body," Fierro said.

Visitors to the Web site can search by various identifying factors, such as ethnicity, age and bodily features. Relatives seeking information on lost loved ones will also be able to submit a DNA sample to confirm an identity.

The body of one unidentified Hispanic man has been kept in the Richmond morgue since 1982. Information about his clothing and pictures of his reconstructed face and jewelry will eventually be available on the Web site.

It's difficult to determine the exact date the information will be posted because training and DNA testing are still needed, Fierro said.

"It's very labor intensive to do this," she said. "We have to pull all the cases."

Fierro said she hopes the data will finally provide answers to those seeking lost loved ones.

"All medical examiners have these cases," she said. "And they just haunt you because you know somebody is looking, and we haven't been able to get a connection before."

Unidentified Hispanic Male

* The victim was discovered on February 23, 1982 in Hanover County, Virginia
* Estimated Date of Death: 3 months prior
* Manner of Death: He had been shot several times in the head and chest.

Vital Statistics

* Estimated age: 25-45 years old
* Approximate Height and Weight: 5'6"; 190-195 lbs.
* Distinguishing Characteristics: Likely of South American origin. Dark brown, short hair, balding. Stocky build. He was missing his appendix & gall. An old scar, with unknown cause for surgery, of right anterior hip. Tattoos if present could not be identified. No beard or mustache.
* Clothing: He was wearing a thick, white knit ski sweater, with gray and red horizontal band across the mid chest over a baby blue t-shirt that reads, "Someone went to Florida and all I got was this lousy T-shirt." A pair of new, tan cowboy boots and brown support socks.
* Jewelry: He was wearing an 18 carat gold crucifix on gold chain and a Seiko watch with the dates in English and Spanish. The watch had been sold outside the United States, and never been turned in for repairs. The name Lucy and the date 4-14-75 are on his wedding band.
* Dentals: Available. A gold crown. Teeth are in good repair.
* Fingerprints: Some prints recovered.

ring
Ring engraved with "Lucy" and "4-14-75"

crucifix
Crucifix

shoes
Boots

Case History
The victim was located in a thicket on the side of Interstate 95, north of Doswell in Hanover County, Virginia on February 23, 1982.

Investigators
If you have any information about this case please contact:
Richmond Medical Examiner's Office
804-786-3174
Email
You may remain anonymous when submitting information.

Agency Case Number: 84-0648; MIS 90-81-00-0751; C099740/CME95-82

Source Information:
Washington Post 3/13/07
NamUs
http://www.doenetwork.org/cases/953umva.html

http://z13.invisionfree.com/PorchlightUSA/...topic=9874&st=0
Ring engraved with "Lucy" and "4-14-75"

dentals and fingerprints are available