Overview
What is NamUs?
Resolving missing and unidentified persons cases is especially complex. Information-sharing across agencies and jurisdictions can be fragmented, paired with limited investigative resources and a high volume of cases. In many instances, significant time has passed since the person went missing. Still, we have a societal responsibility to ensure dignified and lawful outcomes. Each resolution can also uncover links to multiple crimes—and, in some cases, help prevent future ones.
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, or NamUs, is a central database and support program for law enforcement, medical examiners, coroners, investigators, and families to resolve missing, unclaimed, and unidentified persons cases. NamUs is administered by the Office of Justice Programs' National Institute of Justice.
Today, 16 states require that law enforcement enter information into the NamUs system. Other than that, NamUs relies on voluntary entry of case information. The more cases that are entered into NamUs from our users, the higher the likelihood of finding missing persons and resolving cases. The cases entered into NamUs do not necessarily reflect all missing, unidentified, and unclaimed persons cases across the United States or in any one state or jurisdiction.
Who is NIJ?
NIJ is the research, development, and technology office of the Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs. We help drive innovation, efficiency, and advancement in the forensic and investigative services offered by NamUs.
Part of NIJ's mission is to disseminate research and development findings to maximize the use of DNA technology in our criminal justice system, including in the investigation of missing and unidentified person cases. Since 2003, NIJ has been leading efforts to maximize the use of DNA technology in the criminal justice system. In 2007, NIJ supported the launch of the NamUs Unidentified Person database, which would later be connected with the NamUs Missing Persons database to expand the power of NamUs.
Participation in NamUs ensures forensic science service providers are using the best technology and most advanced methods to help resolve these cases. These developments provide more resources to the law enforcement community and help authorities find missing persons and give names to the nameless.
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Resources for NamUs Users
NamUs Resources for Law Enforcement
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, or NamUs, connects law enforcement with no-cost tools and resources to resolve missing and unidentified person cases. This includes state-of-the-art technology to securely store, share, and compare case information with other criminal justice professionals.
Law enforcement personnel can register to become professional NamUs users and search/view case information like dental records, fingerprint cards, and other sensitive information. They can also add, edit, and track cases through their authorized permissions in the system.
Along with access to the secure database and Consolidated Lead Evaluation and Reporting (CLEAR) investigation software through NamUs analytical staff, professional NamUs users can use the free support services of the NamUs program.
Free investigative services include:
- Cold case advisors.
- Analytical and case support.
- DNA analysis.
- Forensic anthropology.
- Fingerprint assistance.
- Forensic odontology.
Register to become a professional NamUs user.
Download and share a factsheet about NamUs for Law Enforcement.
Download graphics to tell your community that you use NamUs and encourage participation.
NamUs Resources for Medical Examiners, Coroners, and Medicolegal Officers
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, or NamUs, provides critical support resources to the medicolegal practitioner community, who is often challenged by limited resources within agencies, coordinating cases across agencies, and cross-referencing records among different jurisdictions.
Free forensic services include:
- DNA testing.
- Odontology.
- Fingerprint analysis.
- Investigative genetic genealogy.
- Anthropological analysis and support.
- Next of kin location.
Forensic Science Research and Development
As the research, development, and technology office of the Office of Justice Programs, NIJ’s mission is to drive innovation, efficiency, and advancement in forensic and investigative services, including those offered by NamUs. Service provider participation in NamUs benefits the efficiency and efficacy of their work by ensuring they are using the best technology and methods to move these cases forward.
One example of why research benefits the forensic investigation community is the NIJ-supported Forensic Anthropology Center’s anatomical donation program. It provides donated human specimens for criminal justice research and training. Among other studies, the center explores advancements in decomposed body identification under different environmental conditions.
Register to become a professional NamUs user.
Download and share a factsheet about NamUs for Medicolegal Practitioners.
Download graphics to tell your community about your use of NamUs and encourage participation.
See the YouTube Terms of Service and Google Privacy Policy
NamUs Resources for Tribal Justice Agencies and Communities
Indigenous people make up only three percent of the population nationwide, yet they experience higher rates of violent crimes such as murder and sexual assault (Rosay, 2016). Many missing persons databases don’t contain records of all American Indian and Alaska Native people who have gone missing, potentially leading to a lack of services needed to investigate cases.
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, or NamUs, is one solution to help narrow this gap in data and services. The database can connect tribal law enforcement with crucial resources to resolve missing persons cases, empower loved ones of the missing to enter and search case information, and connect them with justice professionals.
The NamUs database provides a unified and secure system for missing, unidentified, and unclaimed persons records, which allows for searching, cross-matching, and sharing of case records. The database includes fields to capture information specific to American Indian and Alaska Native people.
In addition to the database, NIJ has program staff who offer free support services for case investigation and resolution. Staff includes a Tribal Liaison, who is a member of the Navajo Nation, as well as others who are dedicated to ensuring that missing Indigenous persons data are counted and shared. They also share knowledge about NamUs to tribal communities through outreach events and trainings.
Register to become a professional NamUs user.
Download and share a factsheet about NamUs for Tribal Communities.
Download graphics to tell your community about your use of NamUs and encourage participation.
See the YouTube Terms of Service and Google Privacy Policy
For Families and Advocates of Missing Persons
The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, or NamUs, is the only national database for missing, unidentified, and unclaimed persons that allows limited access to the public. Public participation is critical for case resolution. This empowers family members to take a more proactive role in the search for their missing loved ones.
Who can become a public user of NamUs?
Public users of NamUs are family members of missing persons, volunteers, staff from missing person advocacy groups, and the general public. Public users may enter new missing person cases into NamUs, track cases, and search/view all publicly visible information in NamUs case files. All public case entries are vetted with the appropriate investigating agency before being made publicly viewable in NamUs.
How else can families of the missing use NamUs?
Families can assist in locating a missing loved one by working with NamUs staff and law enforcement partners to provide DNA samples from themselves and any items belonging to the missing person for profiling and uploading.
Register to become a public user.
Download and share a factsheet about NamUs for Families and Loved Ones.
Download graphics to share your use of NamUs and encourage participation.
Additional Resources
Articles
- Advancing Justice for the Missing and Unidentified Through Research
- Highlighting Significant NIJ Forensic Science Investments: The University of Tennessee, Knoxville Site Visit
- Missing Native American Persons: Nebraska Study Details Scope of Problem, Urges Culturally Sensitive Research and Better Access to Justice