NamUs Profile Strength?

As NamUs was developed a plan for rating the cases evolved. A "profile strength rating" helps us to determine how much info we have for a case, and how we can improve that case. This applies to both missing and unidentified cases. A high profile strength does not guarantee resolution -- but a high profile does increase the odds of resolution.

I urge the family members of the missing who have loved ones entered into NamUs to review their case files. Look at the profile rating and see what you need to do to improve that rating. The rating systen is a good bench mark for families to work on improving. An explanation of the rating can be found on the NamUs site at - https://www.findthemissing.org/documents/5StarScale.pdf -- also detailed below.

The "Five Star" Profile Strength Scale

The 5 Star Profile Strength Scale ranks a Missing Persons Case in terms of the amount of information contained in the case that is potentially useful for identification. The Missing Persons System automatically assigns the Star Rating based on data that is entered by the case owner. In essence, the number of Stars increases as the case information becomes more useful.

All cases will show 5 Stars that are not colored in. As the amount of useful information increases, the number of Yellow Stars will increase from 1 to 5. In general, the rating system is as follows:

1 Star

The case includes a first name, last name, age, sex, race, height, weight, hair color, and eye color for the missing person. Also there must be a date, city, and state where the person was last seen and the circumstances of his/her disappearance.

2 Stars

Has a facial photo of the missing person OR law enforcement information with a case number.

3 Stars

Has a facial photo or the missing person AND law enforcement information with a case number.

4 Stars

Has 3 stars and ONE of the following pieces of data entered: fingerprint information; a description of scars and marks along with photo(s); a description of tattoos with photo(s); tooth specific dental data; or DNA profile information.

5 Stars

Has 3 stars and TWO OR MORE of the following pieces of data entered: fingerprint information; a description of scars and marks along with photo(s); a description of tattoos with photo(s); tooth specific dental data; or DNA profile information.

NOTE:

All cases must meet the minimum requirements to receive one star.