How to find a missing person using NAMUS database.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, there are approximately 100,000 missing persons cases active nationally each year. In addition to this, 4,400 bodies are found that are not identifiable. The National Institute of Justice, along with the University of Central Florida and the National Forensic Science Technology Center, have developed a free database to help identify remains and find missing people.Creating the NamUs Database for Forensic Investigation of Missing Persons CasesThe U.S. Department of Justice has combined two databases to create the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs). One database is for unidentified deceased persons while the other is for finding missing persons. The two programs work together to cross-reference and ideally, match missing persons cases with unidentified bodies or vice versa.Using the Unidentified Decedents Database to Find Missing PersonsThe Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that of the 4,400 unidentified bodies found annually, 1,000 of them are still not identified after one year. The Unidentified Decedents database offers a way to match these people with missing persons cases. This database was started by the National Association of Medical Examiners and contains information on deceased bodies found without identification. It is designed to be used primarily by law enforcement investigators such as:medical examiners and coroners forensic anthropologists case managers policeIt can also be used by the general public to search for remains that might match a missing person. Information in the Unidentified Decedents database includes:demographic information such as approximate age, gender, race, height, weight year of death location where body was found identifying information such as fingerprints, tattoos, scars, dental impressions clothingSketches or photos are also sometimes available. As of December, 2009, more than 5,900 records were contained in the database.Read more at Suite101: How to Find a Missing Person with NamUs Database: Website Makes it Easier to Search for Lost Relative or Crime Victim http://forensicscience.suite101.com/article.cfm/how_to_find_a_missing_person_with_namus_database#ixzz0ccEKJiEv