By Angela Kocherga

JUAREZ -- A new forensic tool that helps identify unknown victims is giving new hope to families searching for missing relatives.

It's one of the biggest jobs at the busy Juarez crime lab: identifying victims. This past decade, the city has had to bury hundreds of John and Jane Doe's.

Forensic experts say the remains of victims are mummified because they are often exposed to the harsh desert climate for days before they are found.

Dr. Alejandro Hernandez, who works at the Juarez Crime Lab, developed a new "re-hydration" technique to recover crucial evidence. "I was surprised but a little scared at the same time," he said, recalling the first time he saw the transformation of cardboard-like tissue into a natural skin texture.

The lab began by recovering fingerprints and now it can restore other identifying marks on the body such as moles, scars, and tattoos. In one case, a woman's entire face was reconstructed.

Officials say it's a promising development for families searching for missing loved ones.