The Broken Wings Network

When should I call police to report that I believe my loved one is missing?

THERE IS NO WAITING PERIOD TO REPORT A MISSING PERSON!  Call as soon as you suspect your loved one is missing. Insist the responding law enforcement personnel take a report. Follow up and request a copy of the report. Ask that your family member’s information be entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) as soon as possible.

What do I do if local law enforcement won’t take a missing report or enter the Missing person into NCIC?

Contact the officer that took the initial report to inquire why the report has not been entered in NCIC.  Listen to what the officer advises you, as there may be other issues involved.  This agency may not be the agency of jurisdiction where the family member went missing.  If you called the agency, you may have spoken to a call taker or communication officer who took a missing report and an investigator may or may not been assigned to your case.  Write down the responses you are given for further follow-up.

What can I do to help with the investigation process?
 Here are some things you can start gathering:

        1.  The last day and time the person was seen.
        2.  Who was the last person that saw them and at what time.
        3.  List of people and the time up to 72 hrs before the person became missing and 
             what they were talking about or doing.
        4.  List of people who may be considered enemies or suspects.
        5.  Any arguments or things that may have bothered the missing person.
        6.  Cell phone numbers and bills.
        7.  Home phone numbers and all bills.
        8.  Any statements such as gas cards, credit cards, etc.
        9.  List of friends with phone numbers.
        10. Any habits such as drinking, drugs, etc.
        11. Most recent picture.
        12. Start and keep a time line of events leading up to the disappearance.

        13. Record and a timeline of police involvement including names and contacts.

What You Should Have In a Missing Persons Kit to Give To Authorities

Basic information. Information about a person’s habits, height, weight, eye color and other physical characteristics are important.

Recent videos and photographs. While videos are best, high-quality photos are also important in helping authorities identify missing persons. In the Elizabeth Smart case, it was pictures of the girl that led to her safe return home. Having photos and videos to offer to the media, especially, can be useful.

Personal history. Any past medical problems or similar situations should be shared with authorities.

Identifying characteristics. Any tattoos, body piercings, or medical alert bracelets should be described to authorities. If a loved one has a condition that may allow them to wander off, providing that family member with a medical alert bracelet can be important, as it can tell authorities that the person needs help – even before a missing persons report is filed.

Media contacts. Unfortunately, media coverage can determine the success of a missing persons case. The recent case of Michelle Gardner-Quinn in

got extensive media coverage, meaning that many more people were aware of the crime. In the Elizabeth Smart case, national coverage eventually broke the case when the girl was spotted by someone who had seen the media reports on the girl’s abduction. That tip led to Smart’s return home.

Personal information. Information about where a person may turn can provide important leads. Having access to someone’s phone list, cell phone number (investigators can trace calls made to and from the phone) and planner can all tell authorities where a person is most likely to go.

Why Hiring A Private Investigator Makes Sense

While local law enforcement is the first place families should call, police enforcement agencies only look for missing persons in specific cases. In many cities, police agencies have very limited resources to spend on missing persons cases. Unfortunately, it often seems that police officers often look for missing persons who have the most media attention. For all these reasons, many families choose to hire a private investigator with experience when a family member goes missing. An investigator is often willing to get involved in a case right away. A professional investigator also lets you remain involved in the case, and will keep looking until you say otherwise.
-taken from PInow.com

FYI: Some Private Investigators will work Pro Bono (for free) on missing person’s cases.

What to do while your missing family member’s case is being investigated….

Stay in contact with the lead investigator or detectives on your loved one’s case via telephone, email and through written correspondence.

1. Request copies of all reports generated by police.
2. Stay in constant contact with the media, including local and national newspapers and television stations requesting they cover your loved one’s disappearance.
3. Create fliers featuring your loved one and post them in your community or in the area your family member disappeared from.
4. Notify your state’s online clearinghouse for the missing of your family member’s disappearance.
5. Stay informed of your loved one’s case and do not trust that the police will automatically consider this disappearance a priority.
6. Give a DNA sample to your local police department and request that it is entered into CODIS, the national DNA database.
7. Build a support team of family, friends and others who are also dealing with a missing loved one.

Ask an Expert....

The Broken Wings team consists of private investigators, law enforcement personnel, attorneys, media consultants, and yes, even psychics.

 Please feel free to call or email us with questions you may need expert advice on.