The mother of Kylee-Ann Schaffer hopes a new DNA testing program will one day lead to answers about her daughter's disappearance from Willawarrin on September 11, 2004.
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The familial DNA collection pilot program, launched this week by the NSW Police Force, aims to analyse the genetics of the relatives of missing persons.
The program includes the establishment of two pop-up centres at Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie to capture samples and other data required for upload to the National Missing Persons Victim System database.
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Kylee-Ann's mother Sue-Ann Schaffer is in support of the program and will be supplying her DNA in the hope that it will one day lead to answers surrounding Kylee-Ann's disappearance.
"I will be giving DNA in Port Macquarie on Thursday. There is hope that we will find out what happened and get some answers," Sue-Ann told the Argus.
The aim of the program is to identify some of the 330 unidentified bodies and human remains across NSW and to update existing familial DNA samples for future discoveries.
Following a comprehensive review of operations, the NSW Police Force announced the establishment of the Missing Persons Registry (MPR) and the implementation of new systems and procedures, which came into effect in July 2019.
Since that time, the MPR has undertaken a review of all 769 long-term missing persons cases in NSW and identified a lack of direct or familial DNA profiles for a significant number of historical investigations.
Missing Persons Registry Commander, Detective Inspector Glen Browne, said the success of the pilot program will be heavily dependent on the collection of familial DNA samples from the families of long-term missing persons.
"The NSW Police Force recognises the devastating impact that missing persons have on family, friends and the wider community and, as part of our ongoing commitment to providing answers, are now trialling a new program to identify possible familial links," Det Insp Browne said.
"The team at the Missing Persons Registry are determined to identify these remains and ensure they are safely returned to loved ones so they may finally be farewelled and put to rest."
Familial DNA samples will be uploaded into the Volunteer Limited Purpose Index (VOLMPU), where they will be searched against the Unidentified Bodies Index. At the same time, interviews will be conducted with family members to capture further information that may assist investigators.
Familial DNA samples are provided via buccal swab and are only compared against missing persons databases in Australia.
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