Black Country Criminologist Joins Mission
A leading Black Country academic has been appointed Ambassador for Locate International, the UK charity dedicated to solving cases of the missing and unidentified.
Dr Emma Tilley, a criminologist and expert in missing persons and unidentified human remains, has been named as the newest face of the organisation’s growing volunteer-led movement.
Her appointment marks a significant step in Locate International’s campaign to raise awareness and push for reform in how the UK deals with cold cases.
Based in the Black Country and recently awarded a PhD in criminology and policing, Dr Tilley has already shaped national policy through her research. Her academic work contributed to the Law Commission’s review of legal processes surrounding unidentified remains.
On a mission to find answers
“Every unidentified person is someone’s loved one,” said Dr Tilley.
“I want to help ensure that no family is left without answers. Being appointed as an ambassador is a true privilege, and I hope to use my voice to raise awareness and push for positive change.”
Dr Tilley has volunteered with Locate International since 2020, leading investigations, contributing to The Missing podcast, and appearing in Channel 4’s The Body Detectives documentary.
Locate International works alongside families, police and coroners to reopen cold cases and identify human remains. The charity, which relies entirely on volunteers, currently has over 200 active members contributing expertise in policing, forensics, research, and community engagement.
Volunteers work to solve cases
In 2024 alone, volunteers contributed nearly 19,000 hours – the equivalent of £211,000 in police work – reviewing 264 cold cases, including 174 involving unidentified remains. Thirty missing persons cases were resolved, and 10 potential matches for unidentified individuals were submitted for review.
Dr Tilley’s appointment coincides with increasing national concern over the number of unsolved cases. In the UK, there are currently around 13,000 long-term missing and unidentified people. According to charity Missing People, 170,000 people go missing every year.
Locate International’s mission is simple: to locate the missing and name the unidentified. Its vision is that every case receives the highest quality investigation possible. Dr Tilley will now serve as a public advocate for the cause, supporting awareness campaigns and working to ensure that no missing person is forgotten.
