A new initiative at Arizona State University aims to enhance the science behind locating missing individuals and identifying human remains. The Humanitarian Forensics Hub will merge forensic science with ethical, cultural, and legal strategies to assist families coping with the trauma of ambiguous loss.
Addressing a Critical Need
The establishment of the hub addresses an urgent situation in Arizona, which has one of the highest rates of missing persons and unidentified remains in the country. The hub’s inaugural conference, scheduled for October 16-17 at ASU’s West Valley campus and online, will bring together researchers, practitioners, advocates, families, and community organizations to discuss these critical issues.
Sherry Fox, an assistant teaching professor in the School of Interdisciplinary Forensics, highlighted the profound pain associated with ambiguous loss, stating, “It’s a horrible thing.” She has dedicated much of her career to searching for missing individuals and identifying remains from conflicts and disasters worldwide. Alongside Tricia Redeker Hepner, a professor in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Fox co-founded the hub to support families navigating the uncertainty of missing loved ones.
Conference Details and Goals
It aims to discuss challenges that transcend geographic and disciplinary boundaries.
Fox noted that today, there are over 130 ongoing global conflicts, contributing to the increasing number of missing persons. She remarked, “It’s a huge problem, and it’s a growing problem,” as disasters are becoming more frequent and severe, leading to unprecedented displacement.
The conference is open to anyone interested in advocating for the dignity and justice of the missing and deceased, with registration fees set at $10 for ASU students and $20 for other attendees.
Focusing on Humanitarian Goals
The Humanitarian Forensics Hub seeks to innovate methods for locating missing individuals and returning unidentified remains to families. This initiative reflects the principles of humanitarian forensics, which emphasize the importance of understanding the fate of loved ones as a fundamental human right.
Redeker Hepner, who has extensive experience in forensic archaeology, pointed out that the hub’s mission goes beyond traditional criminal investigations. Instead, it focuses on humanitarian objectives aimed at alleviating the trauma families face when their loved ones go missing or are unidentified.
According to Sara Fatula, an instructor in the School of Interdisciplinary Forensics, the hub aims to create a central platform for collaboration among various stakeholders. She emphasized the importance of including families and communities in the pursuit of justice and accountability for the missing.
Local Context and Challenges
Arizona faces a unique and pressing situation concerning missing persons. As of June 2026, the NamUs biannual report indicated that the state had 1,101 unresolved missing-person cases, placing it fifth in the nation. Additionally, Arizona has the highest number of unidentified remains, totaling 2,151 cases.
Factors such as the state’s harsh climate and geographic location along a major migration corridor contribute to this crisis. Redeker Hepner explained that the unforgiving terrain increases the likelihood of individuals going missing, often due to abduction or violence.
Furthermore, the complexities surrounding jurisdictional authority among tribal, federal, state, and local law enforcement can hinder the timely investigation of missing persons cases, adding another layer of difficulty for affected families.
Gabriella Soto, an associate teaching professor at ASU, noted that unresolved forensic investigations can lead to prolonged suffering for families, especially when suspicious circumstances surround a loved one’s death. The hub’s establishment aims to address these critical issues through interdisciplinary collaboration and community engagement.
Source: Arizona State University
