The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains (ICLVR) operates with complete independence. This operational independence is essential to our mission. The Commission is funded jointly by the UK and Irish governments.

The Commission brings together a dedicated team of experienced professionals.

  • Lead Investigator: Eamonn Henry, supported by a team of highly skilled investigators, all former police officers.

  • Media Adviser: Provides guidance on media relations and public communications.

  • Garda Liaison Officer: Serves as a vital link between the Commission and An Garda Síochána.

For specific operations, such as searches, the Commission uses a team of specialists, including forensic archaeologists, to ensure thorough and accurate work. All are committed to the integrity and independence of the Commission’s mission.

In its early years, the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains (ICLVR) primarily reacted to information by overseeing physical searches led by An Garda Síochána. However, a pivotal change came in 2005, when retired Detective Chief Superintendent Geoff Knupfer, formerly of the Greater Manchester Police murder squad, was asked to review the Commission’s work.

Geoff Knupfer, who retired from his role with the Commission in 2023, brought extensive investigative experience, notably from his involvement in the Moors Murders inquiry. His expertise helped to reshape the Commission’s approach, strengthening its investigative processes and enhancing its capacity to locate the missing. These led to the implementation of:

  • Specialised Search Teams: The ICLVR now operates with a dedicated team of specialists, including archaeologists equipped with advanced techniques and tools.

  • Enhanced Search Techniques: The ICLVR now uses cadaver dogs, historic aerial photography, ground-penetrating radar, and geophysical analysis to bolster search efforts.

  • Proactive Intelligence Gathering: The ICLVR shifted to a proactive approach, focusing on thorough information and intelligence gathering. All information is rigorously tested, assessed, and verified for credibility.

    Jon Hill was Geoff Knupfer’s deputy from 2005 and was closely involved in the development of this approach. He carried this on as Lead Investigator from 2023 until his retirement in 2025. In 2025, Eamonn Henry, a former Detective Inspector with An Garda Síochána, succeeded Jon Hill as Lead Investigator.

The Commission operates with the utmost confidentiality. All information is treated with the highest discretion, ensuring accuracy and respect for those involved.