NamUs Helps Identify the Missing

• NCJ Number: 231047
• Author(s): National Law Enforcement And Corrections Technology Center
• Date Published: May 2010
• Length: 3 pages
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Award: Operate the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC)

Annotation

This study examined the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs).

Abstract

Results indicate that NamUs helps identify missing persons. NamUs consists of two databases, one for Unidentified Persons/Remains and one for Missing Persons. Entries into the Unidentified Persons/Remains come from medical examiners and coroners and include characteristics ranging from basic descriptors of sex and race to detailed description of scars, tattoos, and dental records. Anyone who registers to use the site can create an entry for the Missing Persons database. Family members in particular are encouraged to include each and every detail they can recall, no matter how trivial. Once posted, the systems immediately cross check new entries against the other database and posts alerts about possible matches to the case manager. Databases can also be manually searched for potential matches. A description of the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) database is included.