It's called the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. It's a database that is a national centralized repository and resource center for missing persons.
Law enforcement, medical examiners and the public can access the database.
"It really worked extremely well," said US Marshal Pete Elliott.
Elliott said his agents have used NamUs to solve cold cases.
"It's a tool in our toolbox. We have a centralized location and it's beneficial to law enforcement and the public," said Elliott.
Several states already require information about a missing person be put in the database. New York, New Jersey, Tennessee, and Connecticut already have laws on the books, said Amy Dobbs with NamUs.
Dobbs said other states are working toward a law.
Ohio is not one of the states with a current law.
"Obviously more cases entered, better chance for case resolution," added Dobbs.
Along with physical characteristics, DNA, dental records and fingerprints can also be added to the NamUs. When a new missing or unidentified persons is entered into NamUs, the system automatically performs cross matching comparisons between the databases, searching for matches or similarities between cases.
NamUs is funded by a grant and provides free DNA testing and other forensic services.
Just days ago, a 27-year-old cold case was solved with the help of NamUs.
