By Canadian Press

Missing persons DNA database helps identify remains of homeless Calgary man

Nov 26, 2019 | 10:53 AM

CALGARY — The body of a missing man has been identified through the national missing persons DNA databank in what Calgary police say is a first in Canada.

The database is operated by the RCMP and was established last year to help investigations into missing persons and unidentified remains.

Calgary police say the body of a homeless man was found in a tent at an encampment in 2017.

His death was not considered to be suspicious.

They say it took a year for a DNA sample to be prepared, and there was a match once it was submitted to the databank and compared with 500,000 profiles.

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The man hasn’t been publicly identified but was originally from eastern Canada.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 26, 2019.

The Canadian Press