Murdered, missing, unidentified … the tragic stories that inspire Britain’s cold case investigators Locate International, founded by ex-detective Dave Grimstead, is a volunteer organization that tackles long-term missing person cases and unidentified bodies, areas often neglected by police due to resource constraints. Inspired by the RNLI’s model, the organization trains volunteers to meticulously investigate cases, bringing closure to families and restoring dignity to the deceased. Grimstead emphasizes the profound human need for answers, even in cases where individuals may have sought anonymity.

• Cold case investigations are complex, lengthy, and require significant team effort, unlike depictions in crime dramas.
• Former detective Dave Grimstead founded Locate International (LI) in 2019 to address unsolved missing person cases and unidentified bodies.
• LI utilizes trained volunteers to investigate cases that often fall through the cracks due to police resource limitations and dwindling attention spans.
• The organization has successfully identified individuals and provided answers to families, emphasizing the importance of restoring dignity and closure.
• LI’s work highlights patterns in missing person cases, such as the disproportionate affect on women in murder investigations and the isolation of unidentified male victims.
• Grimstead draws parallels between LI’s mission and community support hubs he experienced early in his career, emphasizing compassion and persistence.