Media Release

For Immediate Release

November 24, 2006

We know what you look like, now we just need to find out your name

Meet John Doe (Image One), a man police found dead in a wooded area near the Halifax International Airport. Dr. Tanya Peckmann, a forensic anthropologist at Saint Mary's, joined the police in giving the dead man a face. She is also a forensic anthropologist with the province's medical examiner's office. Photo provided by the RCMP (2006). A side shot of John Doe (Image Two). Photo provided by the RCMP (2006).

A forensic anthropologist at Saint Mary’s University has aided the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) in identifying a man found dead in a wooded area off of Highway 102 near the Halifax International Airport on Friday, October 9th, 2004.

Through her expertise with 3-D facial reconstruction and anthropology, Dr. Peckmann joined the police in giving the dead man a face.

At a news conference held yesterday afternoon, the RCMP released the 3-D clay replica of the face in a bid to find out his identity. Foul play is not suspected in the death of the man police call John Doe.

Dr. Peckmann, who also serves as the forensic anthropologist for the province’s medical examiner’s office, worked with Sgt. Michel Fournier, forensic facial identification specialist, Atlantic Region, RCMP, in reconstructing the man’s face.

Even before news conference took place yesterday afternoon, Sgt. Fournier spoke to students in Dr. Peckmann’s class about the case.

Both Dr. Peckmann and Sgt. Fournier are also currently working together in gathering facial tissues of deceased Aboriginal persons in Canada for identification.

“Using the dead man's skull and photographs of the partly decomposed remains, it took 120 hours sculpting a life-size replica” he said during his talk to over 100 students which was held in the University’s McNally Theatre Auditorium.

“3-D facial reconstruction was the only route we could go in identifying this man because we suspect he had been in the woods for a least 10 days, and his face, like other parts of his body, were badly decomposed,” he added.

Sgt. Fournier also showed students images of John Doe when police discovered his remains two years ago.

Dr. Peckmann states, "It is very important that we identify this individual. He deserves the dignity of having a name and being returned to his loved ones for proper reinterment"

Police will share their information with RCMP headquarters in Ottawa and it will be distributed internationally.

Saint Mary's University is known for its community outreach projects, both in Canada and around the world. Saint Mary's, founded in 1802, is home to one of Canada's leading business schools, a Science Faculty widely known for its cutting-edge research, a comprehensive and innovative Arts Faculty and a vibrant Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research.

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For More Information:

Paul Fitzgerald
Public Affairs Officer
Saint Mary's University, Public Affairs
(902) 420.5514
E-mail: paul.fitzgerald@smu.ca
www.smu.ca