The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office announced Wednesday that it will be expanding the scope of its Cold Case unit to investigate cases of people who have gone missing over the past five decades.

The initiative comes as the unit has been actively working to identify unidentified bodies. According to the D.A.’s office, new forensic technology is giving investigators better tools to help with things like missing people and identifying bodies.

As part of the expansion, the unit working alongside local police, Massachusetts State Police Unresolved Unit and other agencies. Investigators will be make use of the latest forensic DNA and genetic technology to help with the Missing Persons Project, according to the D.A.’s office. 

In their announcement, the office also listed a number of cases the unit is investigating. This includes the search for UMass Dartmouth student Charles Allen, who went missing in 2007 when he was 22 years old.

Anonymous tips on these cases can be sent via the D.A.’s office’s text-a-tip program. To send the intimation, text the word “Bristol” to the phone number CRIMES (274637) followed by the tip.

Those with information can also contact Massachusetts State Police Lt. Ann Marie Robertson by calling (508) 961-1918 or via email at AnnMarie.Robertson@pol.state.ma.us.