When a loved one goes missing, it’s hard to keep your wits about you. A friend who went through this recently commented how hard it was to know what to gather and who to contact, since there are so many agencies that can chip in to help in the search.
To help future patrons in this situation, I created a quick guide to keep at the reference desk, and I am duplicating it in this post.
Getting Started
The first step is to file a report at the law enforcement agency where your loved one was last known to reside or was last seen. Depending on the location, it could be a police department, a sheriff, or both. There is no waiting period for reporting, contrary to the popular myth perpetuated by TV and movies.
Filing in person is the best way to ensure immediacy and clarity in communications. If you’re far away, you can phone in. But it’s likely you’ll need to follow up in person or with your own local law enforcement office. No fees are associated with filing a missing person report.
What to Bring When Filing
- Your own valid ID
- Recent photos of the missing individual (even older photos are better than none)
- Full legal name, nicknames, date of birth, Social Security Number (if known)
- Detailed physical description: height, weight, eye/hair color, tattoos, scars, noticeable features
- Their social media handles and cell phone number
- Clothing they were wearing when last seen
- Last known location and approximate date/time last seen
- Any known medical or mental health conditions and medications needed
- Names, phone numbers, and addresses of friends or other contacts who may have information or spoken to the individual
- Make, model, color, and license plate number of any vehicle they might be driving
Even if you don’t have all of this information, you can still file a report. Provide as much detail as possible.
After Filing the Initial Report
- Obtain a copy of the report number and keep it safe.
- Contact the New York State Missing Persons Clearinghouse at 1-800-346-3543 for additional investigative support and public alert assistance.
- Register with the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System for additional support: namus.nij.ojp.gov
- If the missing person is under 21, call 1-800-THE-LOST or visit the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children online: www.missingkids.org/home
- Preserve recent messages, emails, or call logs that might help investigators.
- Follow up periodically with the assigned detective or investigator. Keep a log of all interactions with law enforcement, including names, dates, and case numbers.
- Notify authorities immediately if you get any new information.
Other Places to Look
You may have already covered these steps before reporting the person missing. If you haven’t, here are some additional places to search.
- Contact local homeless shelters, outreach programs, churches, and medical facilities.
- Reach out to the County Coroner’s Office to inquire about unidentified persons. (Albany County: 518.445.7604)
- Consider posting on social media or missing persons groups online to broaden your search.
Summary
There are many free resources available to assist those who are searching for a missing person. Filing a report is only the first step.
