When Do You Consider a Person Missing?
Every day, approximately 2,300 Americans are reported missing, according to the National Crime Information Center. Although it varies by state as to when a missing person report should be filled out, there is no time limit to contacting the police if you have any concerns about the safety of an individual.
Other People Are Reading
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Statistics
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Call the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children if a child is suspected to be missing at (800) THE LOST (1-800-843-5678). The National Center for Missing Adults claims to track 48,000 active cases on a consistent basis. They report that 25,500 of the missing are men, with an estimated one-sixth suffering from mental problems. There are approximately 800,000 missing juvenile cases each year, and about half of those involve runaways and 200,000 are classified as family abductions.
Considerations
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Only 10 percent of missing persons in the United States never return. A person may go missing for many reasons. It is possible that they have disappeared involuntarily by becoming victimized or lost. However, it is also possible that they have gone missing voluntarily. Consider the missing person's mood and who they were with when they were last seen, and convey the details to the police.
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Procedures
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After reporting the case, stay in touch with local authorities. If a friend or a loved one seems to have vanished, try to stay calm. Contact the local authorities immediately and file a missing person report. Write down a description of the missing person and the clothes they wore the last time they were seen, as well as any medical conditions they may have. Provide clear photographs. This information will then be sent to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) as a Missing Person File.
Misconceptions
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As soon as you suspect a person is in danger, call 911. Though it is a common misconception, a person does not have to be gone for at least 72 hours before being declared legally missing. In any cases of unusual absence, it is better to be safe than sorry. Do not hesitate to begin an investigation promptly.
Warnings
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Do not be a hero and try to find the missing person without the help of the law. Let the police determine if the missing person is a threat to themselves or others and try to remain calm. Panicking can cause unnecessary stress and keep your mind from remembering important details that may be relevant to the case.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Nicole Makauskas Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Lily M.A. Parminter Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of woodley wonderworks Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Search Engine People Blog Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of dave conner
