Volunteer investigators join forces with police
A volunteer organisation has come together with a UK police force to help review some of its cold cases in a first-of-its-kind agreement.
Locate International, a charity that looks into cold cases of missing and unidentified people, will review hundreds of cases held by Devon & Cornwall Police.
The team of 12, supplemented by members of the Special Constabulary, has been attending Devon & Cornwall’s archives over several months as part of Operation Locate, which is supported by local coroners.
It is the first time civilian investigators have been invited to co-operate with a police force in the UK, but Locate International hope it will lead to similar agreements with other forces.
Among the cases being re-examined is that of Some Mother’s Son, relating to the discovery of an unidentified body near Trethill cliff in Tregantle, Cornwall, in January 1982. The man’s body was buried in Torpoint with a gravestone naming him only as Some Mother’s Son.
The case, and the charity’s work investigating it, was profiled by BBC News on 29 April.
“When someone is found deceased, there may be an inquest, questions, and lessons learned,” said Dave Grimstead, who manages Operation Locate and co-founded Locate International in 2019.
“But when someone is still missing, that process rarely starts. Operation Locate bridges this gap by bringing structured reviews, insights from different agencies, and analysis to cases that might otherwise remain unsolved.
“By combining case reviews with data and research, the programme uses a public health approach. It identifies common factors and underlying issues in missing-persons cases to help address broader risks and develop strategies for early intervention and prevention.”
Inspector Gareth Hammett, Devon & Cornwall Police’s deputy force lead for missing people, said: “Families of long-term missing people often live with years of anguish and uncertainty. Devon & Cornwall Police continue to investigate and review such cases, striving to bring closure to families and friends. Missing person cases are never truly closed, and we remain innovative in our approach.
“Our partnership with Locate International is testament to this and is unique. Devon & Cornwall Police are the first police force in the country to explore the capabilities, knowledge, and skills that Locate International offer, capitalising upon advances in forensic science and technology. This gives us an opportunity to re-examine cases and potentially yield breakthroughs that were not possible at the time.
“These insights can also help improve current policing methods and practices which may assist us in reducing the chances of similar cases going unsolved in the future.
“We see this as an opportunity to learn and reflect, and we are committed to see our bespoke partnership with Locate International grow and to see what can be achieved.”
Alastair Cuthbert, the strategic manager for coronial investigation with Devon & Cornwall Police, said: “I have been really impressed with the enthusiasm and profesionalism provided by the Locate International staff and volunteers.
“To be able to have such a valuable resource to hopefully identify at last the remains of historic coronial cases and to provide closure to families is a huge asset.”
If you have any information on any case, you can contact Locate via:
Email: appeals@locate.international
Call: 0300 102 1011
Website: www.locate.international
