Massachusetts Freemason Child Identification Program: Best Child I.D. Program in the World

One of the scariest things that can happen to a parent is having their child go missing. SO to help protect children, many groups are doing child identification programs to help parents have the necessary tools to help locate their child if he or she even went missing or lost. However, of all the programs available, the Masonic Child Identification Program (CHIP) is the best in the world. I will discuss Massachusetts' version, since that is where I am from. The kit includes a ToothPrint, a DNA cheek swab, a fingerprint card, and a video.

ToothPrint: Like a fingerprint, every person's bite is unique to them. Even identical twins have different ToothPrints. It is a plastic wafer that when heated can be molded. The child bites on it for a few seconds and then it is put into a plastic baggy. What makes this tool indispensable is the fact that saliva is on the wafer, enabling scent tracking dogs to take one whiff of the ToothPrint and have a direct scent from the child as opposed to rubbed off skin cells on clothing, which is indirect. This wafer can also be used to positively I.D. an unidentifiable body. For example, teeth can withstand several thousand degrees of heat while skin (fingerprints, tattoos, birthmarks) cannot, making the teeth very important in identifying a body.

DNA cheek swab: This is like an extra long cotton swab that is gently rubbed on the inside of the cheek. Then then swab is capped. This contains both chromosomal and mitochondrial DNA, both of which are vital in investigations and identification. This last for up to 30years when kept in the freezer. It also can be used for scent tracing since like the ToothPrint, it is direct from the child.

Fingerprint card: The classic fingerprint card takes impressions of all ten fingers. This is used less for identification purposes but is essential for investigation. Most parents do not have their children's' fingerprints unless the child has been arrested, which as one can guess is not very often. Some states have updated to using computers to do a scan of the child's fingerprints so that it is readable by both fingerprinting programs that law enforcement uses.

Video: Although some states are now using small discs, like DVDs, Massachusetts uses videotapes that serve the same purpose. If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video is worth a million. Children stand in front of a height chart and are asked questions like where they go after school or who their friends are. More importantly, it shows a child's expressions,mannerisms, and way of speech, which a picture cannot do. Anyone that remembers the Elizabeth Smart case remembers the videos that were shown on the news, which are ultimately what had her identified and rescued. This video could be given to any news station and immediately put on the air. If a child is I.D.ed several times over a period of years on one video, today's technology allows one to more accurately interpret what a child would look like as an adult( ex. the " Have You Seen Me" cards we all get in the mail periodically).

This is a program that every child should go through. More importantly, all materials are kept with the parents; no copies are made. The only thing kept by the Freemasons is a registration card. Also all materials are free so the parents never pay a cent for anything. The FreeMasons and other Sponsors fund the event. If you are interested in getting your child IDed, look at www.mychip.org to see when a local event will be occurring near you