Are We Missing the Missing?

More shocking still is that not all missing & unidentified cases are reported to the NCIC. It's has been estimated that only 10-50 % of the actual true number of cases have been filed with the NCIC. Just because a case has been filed with a local law enforcement agency does not mean that it has been listed with the NCIC. There might be more than 40,000 actual cases of unidentified that are not fully reported.

The point of making these reports to the NCIC is to assure that information on the cases make their way into others areas. If a person is missing it is logical to consider that they might have strayed outside their general area, either by their own free will or by force. Extra efforts needs to be focused on getting as many cases into the NCIC as possible. To do will cause a noted change in the numbers at the NCIC. More cases will go in, increasing the numbers. But with more pieces to the jigsaw puzzle available, resolutions will be made as well.

Even one has a dramatic effect on a family. There have been and still remain missing persons right here in this area. Very quickly the family learns of the reality of the situation. Not only have they just experienced what I would call the greatest pain of the entire life. But the then are introduced to the other issues.

They might not have previously even noticed that there were so many people missing. They also begin to realize the huge process involved in filing a report. There are certain steps that must be taken during the filing that often family members will perceive as resistance or a lack of cooperation form officials.

An adult person certainly has the right to go missing if they wish. And if no evidence of a crime is immediately apparent, to use law enforcement means to locate a person that might simply have left, is not acceptable. Not always do the officials over the cases have the time to sit and talk with a family and explain the details of the situation in terms that they understand, they might even seem "cold" in the eyes of the family.

Often family members of the missing have gone on to become advocates for the cause as they know their must be some way to provide relief to families that have just experienced the greatest shock of their lives. So often enough, those seeking resolution, go on to become people who offer comfort to those who have just fallen into this world of unimaginable grief.

Great strides have been made to help make the world more aware of the plight of the missing. As you see more and more cases on the news, it might at first seem that the situation is worsening, but in actuality, things are beginning to improve. The improved reporting of cases from one part of the world to another gives the impression that these crimes are on an alarming rise. But the fact is that they were already at an alarming level, we are just beginning to notice.

If you have a missing person in you family, even if from a few years back, you should file a missing persons report with local officials. If you have a missing persons report on file, but are unsure if the case is listed with the NCIC, you might want to check and assure that it is listed.

Once that is complete there are a number of online option to help get the word out about your missing loved one to other parts of the globe. But the official police report is the best and first option one should take.