The investigation into missing individuals starts with the gathering of information. This usually involves interviews with family and friends of the person who disappeared.
This information can be very useful to police. It can help establish the last known location, a timeline, witnesses and potential security footage. It can also be helpful to contact hospitals and clinics in the area to see if anyone with the missing person’s description has been admitted.
1. Gather Information
If you have access to information about a missing person, it is important to gather as much of it as possible. Often, family members will be helpful sources of information as they have insight into the criminal networks that operate in their area and may know people involved in the case. However, it is essential to fact-check any information received from them and to always keep in mind that they could be omitting certain details in order to protect themselves. Prison inmates are also good sources because they have direct knowledge of the criminal activity taking place in their local areas.
Obtaining cell phone data, bank account information, GPS tracking and digital forensics can help to locate a missing person. It is also a good idea to post pictures of the person online and in public places like coffee shops, schools and grocery stores. These flyers should include a photograph of the person, their name, age, height and a description of their appearance. They can also be distributed to community members and pinned to walls and other places the missing person might frequent.
2. Contact the Media
Millions of people disappear every year, often due to violence associated with organized crime, such as drug trafficking, wildlife smuggling and other criminal rackets. These crimes impact families and communities and create a web of interconnected issues that are often ignored.
If you are interested in reporting on missing persons, consider connecting with organizations that work to locate individuals who have disappeared. They rely on the public’s help to fund their work, and you can assist by sharing their alerts and informative articles. You can also donate money or volunteer to participate in community searches and other administrative tasks.
When people go missing, it is important to search online and through local records for information about them. For example, you can look at public and state records to find out if the person has filed for bankruptcy, or obtained professional licenses in areas such as cosmetology, nursing, counseling, therapy, or law. You can also use social media to reach out to people who know the person and ask them to come forward with information about their last known whereabouts.
3. Contact Law Enforcement
Police departments use a variety of techniques to investigate missing person cases, including pinging cellphones to determine location, reviewing city surveillance cameras and organizing search parties. They can also make use of a system called NamUs, which allows investigators to cross-reference records of missing and unidentified individuals.
All missing person reports are categorized according to a risk assessment. For example, a vulnerable missing person who is elderly and wearing thin clothing might be at high risk of harm.
Once a case is assigned to a detective, family members should work closely with that individual to share all information they have about the missing person and keep a log of their conversations. Family members can also spread the word about a disappearance by contacting local news media outlets. They can also post about the person on social media and put out fliers in their community. Police departments can help find people who have a history of hiding from law enforcement with a technique known as skip tracing. Private investigators can also use this technique, which involves looking at public records to find people who have been hiding their identities from others.
4. Contact Family
Whether your missing loved one was abducted, ran away, or decided to leave his or her life and start over somewhere new, there are many resources available to help you locate the person. Local, state, and international law enforcement, family, and friends can work together to make a difference in these situations.
Gather information about the missing person, including their bank and phone records, social media accounts, and places they visited regularly. Create fliers with a picture, date missing, and contact information, and post them in areas where the person is known to frequent. Provide any other relevant information to law enforcement, such as a personal calendar or community events list.
It is also a good idea to research public and state records to find out if the person has ever been reported missing before. Some people who disappear try to hide their identities by changing their names and using aliases. The CLEAR database can uncover these aliases, as well as any synthetic identity, which is a combination of real data with incorrect information.
5. Contact a Private Investigator
Whether your missing loved one is a long lost family member, a runaway child or part of an old cold case, a private investigator can be a valuable asset in finding these individuals. When choosing a local investigator, make sure they specialize in missing persons investigations and that you speak to them directly about their rates and methods. It is also a good idea to visit their office and ask what they do differently from other investigators in the area.
The most effective PI’s are skilled in questioning people and watching their behavior to get the answers you need. This is especially important when dealing with a disappearance, where time is of the essence.
A private investigator’s missing person search process includes a variety of techniques, including social media searches, background checks, surveillance, public records searches and more. They also work closely with law enforcement to ensure a thorough investigation is conducted. Most importantly, they prioritize open communication and a dedication to client satisfaction. By taking a tailored approach to each case, they are able to deliver successful results.