Unidentified Persons

Medical examiner investigators frequently come in contact with decedents found without identification. It is our duty to accurately confirm identification so that we may notify next of kin.

We work closely with the Oregon State Medical Examiner’s Office using a variety of methods to identify a deceased individual, including:

Fingerprinting
Dental records with a forensic odontologist
Facial recognition with a forensic anthropologist
DNA

Once a positive identification is made and confirmed, an extensive search is done to locate and contact next of kin.

All Multnomah County Medical Examiner unidentified individuals are entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

Due to the high volume of missing and unidentified persons, we are unable to take reports from the general public. We do not have jurisdiction to investigate missing persons outside Multnomah County.

Unidentified Cases

We currently have over 40 open, unidentified cases dating back to 1979. All of these cases have been entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs).

Below is a partial list of recognizable unidentified persons found in Multnomah County, their clothing and/or jewelry when available. If you recognize anyone, please contact the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office at 503-251-2402

For a full list: National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) database»

Medical Examiner Case #79-1862

Found September 9, 1979 on the Ak-Wanee Trail one mile east of Multnomah Falls.