Families with missing relatives face a "grim and horrible prospect" every time a body washes up - and mandatory DNA tests for sea burials would help end that, says Valerie Nettles.
The mother of missing Islander Damien Nettles is backing calls to introduce DNA tests before bodies are buried at sea.
At the moment, there is no such requirement in place. Valerie says it leaves families with missing relatives "dangling".
Speaking exclusively to Isle of Wight Radio, she said:
"It would take out that question of who this could be immediately. They would be able to identify [the body].
"We have been through so many issues with bodies washing up and who it could be and it's a grim and horrible prospect."
Currently, samples of DNA do not have to be taken before bodies are buried at sea.
It means when body parts do wash up, families face a distressing wait to discover if it is their relative.
Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely wants legislation introduced to prevent that - and save police time.
He said:
"“If we had a requirement for DNA sampling prior to burial at sea, it would be easy for the police or the coroner to check against the database and make a quick distinction about where the body part had come from."
Earlier this week Mr Seely asked Justice Secretary Dominic Raab to consider introducing the change via the Judicial Review and Courts Bill.
Valerie says she thinks it's an "excellent idea" and would help save further distress to families.
She said:
"It leaves people like myself dangling. What if it was Damien. What if it was him. There's always that huge open thought in your mind that he could have been disposed of.
"It would just help to be able to identify that DNA. It's so simple. Such a simple thing to do.
"I've seen some criticism about 'oh he's [Mr Seely's] thinking about this and should be thinking about other things' but I think it is quite an important thing that he has pinpointed because it would take a lot of police time away, the coroner wouldn't have to waste time with inquests so there is a knock-on effect in costs. I think it would alleviate some of those issues."
The Needles is one of five UK sites where sea burials are allowed.
This week marks 25 years since Damien went missing. Earlier this week Valerie told Isle of Wight Radio she hasn't given up hope he will be found.
Red Squirrel Property Shop Ventures Into Dubai Property Market
New 2024/5 Annual Waste And Recycling Guide Out Soon
Platform One Announces Winner Of 2024 Wight Noize Competition
Royal Duke To Visit As Newport Minster Reopens
Isle Of Wight Council To Support 'No Mow May' 2024
English Coastal Path Complication Amid Osborne House Queen Victoria Collection Fears
Seaview Pub Picks Up National Award
Isle Of Wight Radio Child Of Wight Awards 2024 Nominations Now Open
Fire Service Issues Water Safety And Mud Rescue Advice For Isle Of Wight
New Online Cancer Support For Local Residents
Specialist Monitoring Equipment Now Installed At Leeson Road
West Wight Runner Jackie Follows PB Marathon Run With Eastenders Appearance
West Wight Pub Can Now Be Listed As 'Asset Of Community Value'
Royal Navy 'Bomb Squad' Called To Seaview Following Ordnance Alert
Automated Gates Arrive On Wightlink’s FastCat Foot Passenger Route
Help Keep Isle Of Wight Streets Neat – Bring Your Bin In
Two Passengers Injured Following Bus Crash In Ryde
Late Night Reports Of Collision Spark Extensive Land, Sea And Air Search
Islanders Taking On London Marathon Today For Local Charities
Four Men Arrested Following Rogue Trader Activities In East Cowes
