We've recently discovered a mother of a missing child in British Columbia, who like us, has been fighting to have a Missing Persons Index/DNA Databank implemented.

Judy Peterson is doing her part in Western Canada to educate people about the lack of a DNA database/missing persons index and it's importance not just with respect to cuting down on unnecessary spending and wait times for identifying victims and solving cases, most importantly this will bring closure to families who have been waiting years for answers about their missing loved ones.

Judy's daughter, Lindsey Nicholls has been missing since August 2, 1993 from Comtox Valley, BC. In 2000, She offered to give her own DNA to police for comparison to assit them with identifying Lindsey in the event that she has met with foul play. She learned that there was no DNA database on the 7th anniversary of Lindsey's disappearance.

Two years ago the Federal Government agreed that it is a vital system and promised that it would be implemented, there is no evidence to suggest one will be implemented anytime soon. While the fed's prolong the release of the index, thousands of people are out there waiting for answers, victims stack up in morgues across the country and law enforcement agencies alike are spending millions of dollars trying to solve cases that could be easily solved with a nationwide database.

A synopsis of Lindsey's Law:

"The purpose of this Act is to establish a national DNA data bank to help law enforcement agencies

(a) identify persons alleged to have committed designated offences, including those committed before the coming into force of this Act; and

(b) identify persons reported missing, by comparing each missing person's DNA profile or that of the person's relative with other profiles held in the data bank."

http://www.lindseyslaw.com

The gaping hole in existing DNA legislation will be filled by allowing the collection of DNA from missing persons or their close relatives for the purpose of cross-referencing DNA from crime scenes and unidentified human remains. This legislation will provide answers for grieving families, justice for the victims and put violent criminals behind bars.



For more information about Lyndsey's disappearance:

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cold_case/..._lindsey_e.htm



Lyndsey's RCMP Cold Case files index

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/cold_case/index_e.htm