Forensic Artist Barbara Martin Bailey

Everyone Deserves A Name
(Project E.D.A.N., part of the Doe Network )

 Did you ever wonder what happens to cold cases? Those unidentified bodies which go on as John /or Jane Doe where the leads go cold and the post mortem photos can’t be seen in newspapers or TV news media?

Since 1999,  there is a group dedicated to helping this situation. The organization, which is called DoeNetwork and can be found on the Internet as: http://www.DoeNetwork.Org.

It enlists a network of members from around the world who volunteer their efforts to work in different capacities to assist agencies in possibly making that one connection you need to put name and person and image together.

The EDAN Project reviews images and has their artists reconstruct either a 2-dimensional drawing, from post mortem photos and physical descriptors given or a 3-dimensional sculpture by method of clay on a skull provided to the artist. Then, to the best of their abilities, to recreate the facial image that will go on a poster that travels worldwide to be matched against faces of missing persons reported who’s whereabouts are unknown. When a “hit” is made, the appropriate law enforcement agency is then contacted to follow up on all investigative leads. It is a service provided by those dedicated to go on to serve law enforcement and assist in closure for families, friends and loved ones.

In March of 2003, I became one of the EDAN Project members who participates in forensic art services.   The primary purpose is to offer services to those who either do not have a forensic artist of their own and or lack money or access to such capabilities.

This article serves to educate you the reader and law enforcement person to what is out there and available to help you in your job. You have nothing to lose by asking for help, but an avenue to help educate people how to look at these images, and make the one necessary connection. As Todd Matthews says, “By offering this service, we hope to make sure that no face goes unseen. The Project is also an attempt at a resource and information exchange. The Doe Network and the EDAN Project have been acting since March 1999. Some cases are already solved and some are on the verge of being closed.  Click on one of the sketches below to read more information about that case.