Missing Persons, Links, Resources and Help
Missing Persons
A missing person is a person who has vanished for usually unknown reasons.
Missing persons' photographs may be posted on bulletin boards, sometimes on milk cartons (I think only in America?), and websites, along with a phone number to be contacted if a sighting has been made.
With the advancement of technology and Social Networks via the internet it is now easier for authorities, friends and family to spread the word.
This article will provide Information and links to Organizations and Networks that can assist with Public awareness and help for those trying to find someone that is missing.
People disappear for many reasons. Some individuals choose to disappear alone; most of these soon return.
The Doe Network
The Doe Network is a volunteer organization devoted to assisting Law Enforcement in solving cold cases concerning Unexplained Disappearances and Unidentified Victims from North America, Australia and Europe. It is our mission to give the nameless back their names and return the missing to their families. We hope to accomplish this mission in three ways; by giving the cases exposure on our website, by having our volunteers search for clues on these cases as well as making possible matches between missing and unidentified persons and lastly through attempting to get media exposure for these cases that need and deserve it.
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
Mission and History
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, (NCMEC), is a private, (501)(c)(3) nonprofit organization which was created in 1984. The mission of the organization is to serve as the nation’s resource on the issues of missing and sexually exploited children. The organization provides information and resources to law enforcement, parents, children including child victims as well as other professionals.
AMBER Alert
Exposure Equals Results
The key to the success of Code Amber News Service is the vast reach that we have for Amber Alert distribution. In addition to our network of over 450,000 web site and desktop tickers we now offer Wireless Amber Alerts and Missing Endangered Persons Alerts delivered to your cell phone or PDA.
The AMBER Alert™ Program is a voluntary partnership between law-enforcement agencies, broadcasters, transportation agencies, and the wireless industry, to activate an urgent bulletin in the most serious child-abduction cases.
The goal of an AMBER Alert is to instantly galvanize the entire community to assist in the search for and the safe recovery of the child.
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) is a clearinghouse for missing persons and unidentified decedent records. NamUs is a free online system that can be searched by medical examiners, coroners, law enforcement officials and the general public to solve these cases.
The Unidentified Persons Database contains information entered by medical examiners and coroners. Unidentified persons are people who have died and whose bodies have not been identified. Anyone can search this database using characteristics such as sex, race, distinct body features and even dental information.
The Missing Persons Database contains information about missing persons that can be entered by anyone; before it appears as a case on NamUs, the information is verified.
NamUs provides the ability to print missing persons posters and even map out possible travel routes in a search for a missing person. Other resources include links to state clearinghouses, medical examiner and coroner offices, law enforcement agencies, victim assistance groups and pertinent legislation.
When a new missing persons or unidentified decedent case is entered into NamUs, the system automatically performs cross-matching comparisons between the databases, searching for matches or similarities between cases.
NamUs also provides free DNA testing and other forensic services, such as anthropology and odontology assistance.
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