No circumstance has a more devastating effect on a family than the unknown whereabouts of a loved one. Immediately making identification information available to the public has proven effective in helping to locate missing children as well as missing adults. The majority of law enforcement officials consider photographs to be the most important tool in missing person cases.
There is no required waiting period to report a missing person. Law enforcement agencies should be contacted without delay. This is extremely important in cases involving a possible abduction, suspected foul play or an at-risk situation.
NCIC MISSING PERSON FILE
There is no waiting period before a person can be entered into the NCIC Missing Person File. Arkansas law requires all missing persons to be entered immediately.
The National Crime Information Center’s (NCIC’s) Missing Person File was implemented in 1975. Records in the Missing Person File are retained indefinitely or until the individual is located or the record is canceled by the entering agency.
MISSING PERSON ENTRY CATEGORIES
All missing persons must be classified into one of the following categories:
Juvenile – Entry of a person under the age of 21 who is missing and does not meet any of the entry criteria set forth in the other categories.
Endangered – Entry of a person of any age who is missing under circumstances indicating that his/her physical safety may be in danger.
Involuntary – Entry of a person of any age who is missing under circumstances indicating that the disappearance may not have been voluntary, i.e., abduction or kidnapping.
Disability – A person of any age who is missing and under proven physical/mental disability or is senile, thereby subjecting him/herself or others to personal and immediate danger.
Catastrophe Victim – A person of any age who is missing after a catastrophe.
Other – A person over the age of 21 not meeting the criteria for entry in any category who is missing and for whom there is a reasonable concern for his/her safety.
NCIC’s Unidentified Person File came online in 1983. Records are retained indefinitely, unless removed by the entering agency
*While use of the Unidentified Person File is increasing, it is not yet mandated by law to make entries into this file.
Unidentified Person Entry Categories
Deceased – A person who is no longer living for whom the identity cannot be ascertained. This category also includes body parts when a body has been dismembered.
Catastrophe Victim – A person who is a victim of a catastrophe for whom the identity cannot be ascertained or body parts when a body has been dismembered as the result of a catastrophe.
Living – A person who is living and unable to ascertain his/her identity, e.g., amnesia victim, infant, etc. The information on unidentified living persons should only be included if the person gives his/her consent or if they are physically or mentally unable to give consent.
The Arkansas Crime Information Center (ACIC) receives monthly NCIC reports concerning the Missing and Unidentified Person files. The Missing Person Active/Expired Analysis and the Unidentified Person Active/Expired Analysis reports are available upon request.
The monthly statistics are calculated to address the most frequently requested inquiries. Archive statistics are available upon request.
