While other people do crossword puzzles to keep their minds active, Margaret Press prefers trying to put a name to people who have been waiting for answers for decades.
This 79-year-old retired grandmother is a computer scientist and founded the DNA Doe Project, an organization that uses genetic genealogy to help identify people involved in cases that for years seemed impossible to solve.
The work begins with DNA samples. Margaret and a team of volunteers search for matches in genealogical databases, reconstruct family trees, and follow leads until they arrive at a possible identity that authorities can then confirm.
And the results have been enormous: the project has already helped identify more than 150 people, including victims who remained anonymous for decades and criminals connected to old cases.
The most curious thing is that much of this work is done from home. While many people might imagine retirement as a time to rest, Margaret found another way to fill her days: helping families and forgotten cases finally find answers.