Anonymous $200K gift gets ball rolling

Tucson, Arizona | Published: 07.24.2008 An anonymous $200,000 donation will allow the Pima County medical examiner to compile a database of migrant deaths, which authorities say could help identify illegal immigrants who died trying to cross into this country. The database will include basic data such as when and where remains are found as well as detailed information about the clothing and other personal items found near the body. The information could help authorities — and families searching for missing loved ones — identify bodies, some of which have been in Pima County's custody for a year. Those clues could allow for more analysis of potential DNA matches under Mexico's new decentralized process, which lets its 49 regional consulate offices choose whichever DNA testing lab they believe best meets their area's needs.... [read full story]