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Remains of human victims, their boots and clothing partially buried in the mud at the Titanic site two-and-a-half miles below the ocean's surface, where the wreckage of the legendary ocean liner lies. The remains were identified by the undersea photos taken in 2004 and newly released by the Institute for Exploration, centre for Archaeological Oceanography, in observance of the 100th anniversary of the ship's sinking.

The scientist, who was responsible for mapping the shipwreck during a 2010 expedition sponsored by NOAA, rereleased the images in their full form (they were originally published to show only one boot) to serve as a reminder that the site is an underwater resting place that needs to be protected and respected.

A U.S. bill introduced by Sen. John Kerry would amend the Titanic Maritime Memorial Act of 1986 to protect the wreck from salvage and intrusive research. But since the ocean liner sank in international waters after hitting an iceberg on April 14, 1912, there are limits to what the U.S. or any one country can do.