MIA is the military term for missing in action. But those who are missing from our homes are important as well. At any one moment there are 90,000 unaccounted for missing persons. Of all missing persons young and old there is about 900,000 of that number with about 800,000 of those children, under 18. Every 40 seconds a child disappears in the United States. The missing for 7 years or more can be declared dead in absentia. With 2,300 persons reported missing every day it places demands on restricted law enforcement resources to deal with the documentation of missing persons, let alone finding sufficient time and resources to investigate and attempt to locate a missing person.
Highest Priority Missing Persons Investigations
As an adult we have a right to privacy. If located our welfare can be reported but not our location. Children under 12 are normally given priority as are the extreme elderly. Those with dementia and Alzheimer’s are at particularly high risk and represent an increasing proportion of missing adults. Many are totally incapable of caring for themselves, though they seldom if ever represent any threat. These individuals are highly susceptible to exploitation and out right abuse.
Missing & Exploited Children
Those under 12 are vulnerable to exploitation in many ways. Many go missing and never found. The first milk-carton child was Etan Patz, a 6-year-old was probably abducted on his way to his school’s bus stop in May 1975. He or his body has never been found, though a Pedro Hernandez confessed to his murder in 2012. Many children represent parental kidnappings and are in custody disputes between parents and family members. However, given the high exploitation potential and increasingly incidents of people trafficking any missing child is of concern.
Low Priority Missing Adults
Substance abusers and those with mental disorders are given little investigative attention. Because of limited resources and restrictions placed on law enforcement and diminished public interest as to the fate of a crack head or prostitute, these garner limit public sympathy. Your only real hope is hiring a private investigator. Scrupulous investigators can devote their resources to a single case versus a law enforcement officer looking at 100 to 400 cases a week. Thankfully, the majority of missing persons cases are resolved in 24 – 48 hours, hence the 24-72 hour limits on missing adults, most return home during this interval in time.
National Runaway Databases
For missing or runaway teens, the internet and social media are valuable investigative tools. Forensics of phones, pads and computers may provide clues. A profile of the missing teen can prove invaluable with input from a forensic psychologist. In many cases the person reporting may become offended during probes and interviews with pointed questions, some believe are negatively pointed to the character of the missing or the voracity of the reporting person because the investigator is trying to figure out the missing person. But without a profile it will be difficult to investigate the case. Victimology is the study of the victim, to access personality and KSA, knowledge, skills and abilities. These profiles will aid the investigator and determine the course of the investigation.
Missing Persons Investigations & More in Greater Miami, Sunny Isles, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton & Miami Gardens Florida
There are circumstances that will warrant prompt investigation. The elderly suffering from health and mental deficiencies and the very young will initiate a prompt response. Any information that would indicate involuntary absence or some form of foul play will also warrant official investigation. Advanced Private Investigator & Security of Miami FL offers expert private investigation and security services. Contact us to help locate missing people from your life!
