OJJDP FY 17 National Incidence Studies of Missing Children Reported to Law Enforcement

The purpose of the National Incidence Studies of Missing Children Reported to Law Enforcement is to further the Department of Justice’s mission by supporting efforts designed to measure identify the size, scope, and nature of key aspects of the nation’s missing children reported to law enforcement. The proposed work builds on earlier related data collections and is consistent with the purposes of the Missing Children's Assistance Act, specifically 42 USC 5773(c)(1). The Westat and University of New Hampshire’s Crimes against Children’s Research Center team will build upon its extensive experience in conducting the three prior iterations of the National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Thrownaway youth to (1) design and pilot test a more cost-efficient methodology for collecting national data on the child victims of stereotypical kidnappings known to law enforcement (LES-SK) using a web-based format to reduce costs in collecting incident-level data, and ensuring that current SK data elements are comparable to prior surveys to the extent possible; (2) implement the redesigned LES-SK survey to produce national estimates; (3) develop and pilot test instruments and sampling methods to collect information from law enforcement agencies on family abductions (FA) and other types of missing children (MC) and returned children in preparation for a national survey; and (4) produce statistical products, methodological reports, and other scholarly research reports for dissemination to the public to advance the field’s understanding of our nation’s missing children problem. Note: This project contains a research and/or development component, as defined in applicable law, and complies with Part 200 Uniform Requirements- 2 CFR 200.210(a)(14). CA/NCF