Quick action on your part will ensure the quick action of law enforcement. They recognize that the initial investigation phase – the first 48 hours of your child’s disappearance – is a critical time for them to employ every resource necessary to find your child and return them home safely. Follow this checklist for the best results. (For tips on working with law enforcement beyond the initial response, see chapter 2.)
Checklist: Before law enforcement arrives
A NOTE ABOUT THESE CHECKLIST ITEMS:
If law enforcement arrives quickly, you may not have time to gather or write down all of these things before they arrive.
Officers will help you recall and gather information when they get there. This checklist will help you to be actively engaged in the initial response.
- Do not delay the reporting by doing your own extensive search. Time is critical. Law enforcement can conduct complex searches more rapidly and effectively than you can.
- There is no waiting period before you can report your child missing or overdue. The National Child Search Act of 1990 requires law enforcement agencies to immediately accept reports of missing children and enter them into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database. Learn more about NCIC in chapter 2.
- Height, weight, hair color and length, and eye color.
- Distinctive features – prescription eyeglasses or orthodontic braces; a birthmark, scar, or tattoo/s; unique mannerisms, movements, or speech patterns.
- Clothing you last saw your child wearing, including sizes and brands if you know them.
- Personal items your child likely had at the time of disappearance, such as jewelry, a watch, headphones/earbuds, notebooks/ books, backpack/purse, and a cell phone or other devices. Brands or logos help identify these items if you know them.
- Details about the vehicle your child had access to if a vehicle is missing, including the make, model, color, and license/tag number, if you know them. Any notable markings such as rust spots, dents, or bumper stickers can be especially helpful in distinguishing common makes and models of cars.
- Avoid school or portrait-type photos if they don’t accurately reflect how your child typically or currently appears (the way they wear their hair, makeup, and clothing).
- The photo selected will be the first (and possibly only) visual image of your child the public sees through media broadcasts, social media posts, and fliers; this is why the selection of a photo is so important.
- Accurate, recent, and realistic photos can help law enforcement and the public recognize your child.
- Do not touch, move, or remove anything from your child’s room.
- Clothing, sheets, grooming items, and trash cans hold clues to the whereabouts of your child through DNA evidence. They also can provide a strong scent for tracking dogs.
- Do not attempt to investigate your child’s technology devices on your own.
- Provide all items noted above to law enforcement.
- Be ready to share whatever information you have regarding equipment, website and application logins, passwords, codes, email addresses, and screen names.
See if anything – or nothing – is absent from your child’s room or your home. Has your child taken personal items (such as clothing, a laptop, medications, or money)? Be aware that finding nothing amiss can be equally as telling as missing items – and can change the focus of the investigation.
Checklist: When law enforcement arrives
This checklist and the ones that follow will reference a lot of information about the investigative process. Each case is different, and how a missing child investigation is carried out will vary based upon the circumstances of the disappearance. This information is provided to equip you with the knowledge to ask questions, understand what is happening, and request that actions be taken. Every law enforcement agency, particularly smaller ones, may have limited experience with these cases. Retired law enforcement professionals with years of missing child expertise are available from NCMEC’s Team Adam to help. Call 800-THE-LOST (800-843-5678).
- When and where your child was last seen, if known.
- Any friends your child may be with or may have talked to.
- Any routes and modes of travel your child may have taken.
- Your child’s favorite hangouts or comfort areas.
- Your child’s normal routine and any changes or unusual behaviors or circumstances you’ve noticed.
- If your child has run away or gone missing before.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT YOUR CHILD IS BEING TAKEN OUT OF THE UNITED STATES
The International Parental Child Abduction (IPCA) resources in chapter 7 include specific details on the immediate actions to take and contact information for the following agencies:
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- U.S. State Department
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Ask your law enforcement officer or NCMEC for help with making these contacts if needed.
- Does your child rely on medications that they don’t have with them, or may not have access to?
- Provide your child’s blood type, if known.
- Does your child use any illegal substances or alcohol?
- Does your child have any special needs, such as a hearing or visual disability?
- Does your child have any cognitive challenges, such as autism, attention- deficit disorder, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder?
- Describe any specific behaviors or movements they make, such as reactions to other people or environmental situations (e.g., loud noises, bright lights, bodies of water, wooded or other areas to which they are drawn).
The more law enforcement understands about the situation at home, at school, and with friends, the better they can steer investigative efforts to find your child.
- Are there any custody issues/court-ordered visitation rules in place? If so, give your officer contact information for the other parent.
- Have you or a family member recently argued with your child?
- Has your child previously been missing? If so, under what circumstances?
- Has your child experienced emotional, physical, or sexual abuse?
- Has Child Protective Services interacted with your family? If so, how recently and under what circumstances?
- Has your child had any prior involvement with the juvenile justice system?
- Has there been a noticeable increase in cell phone, texting, computer, or social media usage?
- Has their mood noticeably changed in recent weeks?
- Has their normal routine or patterns of activity changed?
- Has someone recently shown an unusual interest in your child?
- Have unfamiliar individuals been seen in your neighborhood because of a construction job or public works project?
- Tell law enforcement about any neighbors who have moved out of town recently or have been arrested.
- Mention any new friends of your child who you don’t know much about.
- Think of similar-age close friends or other acquaintances your child routinely spends time with, either socially or through school, sports, or clubs.
- Include extended family members your child sees, talks to, emails, or messages.
- Don’t forget neighbors, teachers, coaches, and group/club leaders. For older children, include coworkers, hair stylists, or other service providers with whom your teen regularly interacts.
If you have any questions about how and when law enforcement agencies will be notified, ask your officer.
- Officers will carefully search your child’s room and other areas and secure personal items for DNA and fingerprint evidence, which is critically important for the investigation.
- This may feel intrusive, but do all you can to allow law enforcement to do this work swiftly and without disruption. If at any point you have questions, it’s always okay to ask.
- Devices and vehicles with a cellular or GPS signal can be tracked, and account activity can help determine what has been happening online or through apps.
- License plate readers can be used to track vehicles, along with GPS or onboard navigation.
- Bank or credit card activity can be reviewed to pinpoint usage times, locations, and directions of travel.
Checklist: Before law enforcement leaves
If this is not confirmed, or if it seems your officer does not deem it a priority or understand the requirement and process, contact NCMEC at 800-THE- LOST (800-843-5678).
Contact NCMEC for support, if needed. In addition to NCIC entry, your clearinghouse and/or NCMEC can assist with entry of your child’s information into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs). Learn more about NamUs in chapter 7.
Your responding officer will explain the types of searches to you, and you’ll see more on this in the “First 48 Hours” checklist in chapter 2.
An AMBER Alert or Endangered Missing Alert can be used for cases that meet specific criteria. While not all cases will qualify for an AMBER or Endangered Missing Alert, every case is appropriate for public notification using the methods and tools to best assist in the investigation. Learn more about these alerts in chapter 6.
- Work with the media throughout the case to share posters and provide press conferences.
- Help you know when and how to respond to media requests and manage interviews.
- Use websites and social media to support the investigation and public alerts/updates.
- Will a special phone number or tip line (and/or email address) be used?
- How will that information be shared with the public?
- Who will take the calls, monitor emails, and follow up on them?
- How will you be updated on leads and tips?
Your agency may request a Child Abduction Response Team (CART) that provides expertise in investigation, search and rescue, air and water support, volunteer management, leads and tips management, mapping and geolocation, family advocacy, and victim reunification support. CARTs are used in cases that meet certain criteria, and thus are not used in every missing child case. You can learn more about CARTs in chapter 2.
The family liaison can serve as an intermediary between you and investigators to ensure a consistent flow of information. Connecting with a victim advocate can help you better understand what’s happening, and help you better cope with the dynamics and emotional toll of the investigation.
Store it near your phone, or within your cell phone contacts for easy access. Contacts should include your lead investigator, backup or secondary investigator, PIO, and family advocate.
This includes relatives, neighbors, or friends who will know where you are at any given time.
WHY NCIC ENTRY IS SO ESSENTIAL
NCIC entry by law enforcement for missing children cases is mandated by federal law.
When your child (and any abductor and/or vehicle involved) is entered into NCIC, every law enforcement agency in the nation has immediate access to that information.
NCIC records are updated as new information is confirmed in your child’s case.
Special codes, called “flags,” can be added to the record if your child is abducted (a “CA” flag) or when an AMBER Alert is issued (an “AA” flag). These flags trigger automatic notification
to NCMEC and the FBI.
NCMEC can help any law enforcement agency ensure both the initial entry and updates are made in NCIC.
Checklist: After law enforcement leaves
Use it exclusively for jotting down names, telephone numbers, dates and times of calls and emails, and other information pertaining to conversations with your officer.
If you don’t receive them as discussed, continue to ask for daily updates on the investigation and search efforts. It’s helpful to designate a specific family member or liaison for contact with your assigned law enforcement officer or team, to ensure communications are coordinated and to avoid duplicate calls and requests that can take time away from the investigation.
A NOTE ABOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT TERMS
As you follow this Guide, you will see the terms “officer” and “investigator” used when referring to law enforcement personnel involved in the search for your child. Both terms denote members of the law enforcement team with whom you will interact. While patrol officers are generally first to arrive at your home, as initial information is gathered and areas are secured, an investigator (sometimes referred to as a detective) will likely be assigned to work with your family. Depending on the size of your law enforcement agency, and other resources brought in to assist, you may communicate with more than one investigator.