Advancements in DNA technology have revealed the identity of a 44-year-old jawbone discovered on Umina Beach in 2020.
Woy Woy resident, Toyah Evans, made the gruesome discovery in the sand near Sydney Ave whilst walking her dogs along the beach at about 2.15pm on Thursday, June 11, 2020.
Realising the gravity of her find, Evans secured the remains in a doggie bag before reporting it to Brisbane Water Police, who established a crime scene at the beach.
The bone was then sent to Newcastle Mortuary for forensic examination where it was confirmed what was uncovered was indeed a human jawbone.
A DNA profile from the bone was retrieved, with initial investigations determining the jawbone was that of a teenage male.
Extensive traditional inquiries were made at that time to establish identity, but without success.
Initial DNA analysis failed to identify any direct, familial or genealogical matches.
In March 2023, the Forensic Evidence & Technical Services Command’s Science and Technology Unit implemented Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG), which combines new DNA analysis techniques and traditional genealogy to identify suspects and unknown remains using commercial DNA databases.
Detectives, scientists and analysts worked together to exclude two other cases and identified a genetic link to a possible living relative.
A voluntary sample was obtained from the relative and following further DNA analysis the bone was confirmed to be that of Henry Coleman, who died aged 17, following an accidental drowning on the Central Coast in August 1980.
In 1980, Henry was laid to rest following a coronial inquest but it was not known at the time the bone was missing.
The formal identification of the owner of the jawbone has now been referred to the Coroner.
Manager of the Missing Persons Registry, Detective Inspector Ritchie Sim, said this was an example of the importance of public involvement in providing familial DNA to solve missing persons cases, including unidentified remains.
“Without the amazing, combined work by our detectives, scientists and analysts, we never would have been able to return these remains to their resting place and find answers for Mr Coleman’s family,” he said.
“The theme of this year’s National Missing Persons Week is ‘Always Searching’ and this investigation is a fantastic example to show we never give up.
“This investigation has taken four years and we can’t be happier with the result with the most rewarding part being, giving the news to Mr Coleman’s family.
“Your DNA cannot and will not be used in any criminal investigation as missing person investigations are not criminal matters, and your DNA is not stored in any criminal or suspect data base.
“Your DNA will only be used to hopefully solve cases and provide answers to your family.
“If you have reported a family member missing to police, and you have the event number, I urge you to go to your local police station and provide your DNA if you haven’t done so already.
“Just (as) in Mr Coleman’s case, your relationship with the missing person can be several generations apart.
“If you don’t have an event reference number, you can still help by providing your DNA to commercial databases such as Gedmatch and Familytree DNA.
“As long as you tick the option to release your DNA for law enforcement purposes, we can use your DNA and hopefully solve a mystery.
“Your relative may have already been found, we just don’t know as yet, as we haven’t been able to identify them until now.
“This technology and capability now gives us the best opportunity yet, to achieve this.”
Missing Persons Week is an annual national campaign to showcase missing persons and unidentified bodies and human remains cases and raise awareness of the issues and impacts surrounding these incidents.
It runs from Sunday, July 28, to Saturday, August 3.
This year’s Always Searching campaign focuses on the dedication and continuing efforts of police to solve missing persons investigations.
If you have been reported as missing it means that someone is concerned about your safety and welfare.
You should attend the nearest police station with identification so that police can ascertain that you are safe and well.
It is not a crime to go missing and police will respect your privacy if you don’t wish to disclose your location to your family.
For more information on the campaign visit www.missingpersons.gov.au
As inquiries continue, police are appealing for anyone with information that may assist investigators to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or nsw.crimestoppers.com.au