The BC Coroners Service has launched a new interactive tool displaying key information on active unidentified human remains cases in British Columbia, with an aim to generate new leads that will assist in closing these investigations.

The unidentified human remains (UHR) interactive viewer is a web-mapping application containing spatial, temporal and statistical information on every active, unsolved UHR investigation in the province. There are currently just under 200 unsolved and active cases involving unidentified human remains in B.C. Most of these involve cold cases, with the earliest dating back to 1953.

The UHR interactive viewer was developed by Ian Charlton, a spatial information analyst with the BC Coroners Service’s Special Investigations Unit. It is hosted on B.C.’s map hub. The viewer provides a visual overview of the approximate location where the remains were found, case numbers for contact purposes and a summary of the key information related to each unresolved case in B.C.

“By reaching out and engaging members of the public with the launch of this innovative tool, it’s our hope to gain new investigative leads that will lead to the identification of these unidentified individuals and bring closure to their families,” said Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner.

Anyone with information or questions about any of the investigations displayed on the UHR interactive viewer should contact the Special Investigations Unit using the case number provided in the viewer at: BCCS.SIU@gov.bc.ca

Learn More:

Unidentified human remains interactive viewer: https://governmentofbc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=1a60c24b82ed41699d8a55338fb11076

B.C.’s map hub: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/data/geographic-data-services/web-based-mapping/agol

National Centre for Missing Persons and Unidentified Remains: http://www.canadasmissing.ca/index-eng.htm