The first tip Michigan State Police give when someone is missing is “do not panic.” The person may have forgotten their phone, got busy, or just forgot to check in.
The next step is to contact friends and family to see if they know where the missing person is or if they heard from them. Keep your phone with you, make sure it’s charged and the ringer is on in case they try to contact you.
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If the person is under 18, over 65, has a physical or mental illness, depressed, or the disappearance is completely out of character -- report it to police immediately. Otherwise, when “you have sufficient reason to believe they are in fact missing” that’s when you should contact your local law enforcement agency to make a report.
The amount of time you have to wait before police will take your report depends on the police department’s policy and could range from 24 to 72 hours. If a child or elderly person is missing the waiting time should not apply. This includes people who are believed to have been a victim of a violent crime.
It is not illegal for an adult to voluntarily go missing and police have rules and regulations to protect privacy if that’s the case.
Police will likely need the following details:
- Pictures of the person
- Date of birth
- Address
- Physical description
- Clothing last seen wearing
- Other relevant details
Police encourage people to take at least one head and shoulders photograph of their loved ones each year. Police might also want your help getting bank records, social media information, and cell phone records.
If the case continues police may ask for things like dental records and DNA samples. That is kept on record in case your loved one is discovered deceased.
You can ask police to keep in touch, and if they don’t, you can call them. If they don’t ask for DNA and dental records and your person has been missing for over 30 days offer those records to the police.
Searches with dogs and volunteers may be an option to search for your loved one. If your police department chooses not to do this there are several non-profit organizations that can help set up searches.
What not to do when someone goes missing
Once again, Michigan State Police say not to panic. If your missing person is vulnerable you should notify the police as soon as you think something is wrong.
Do not keep their disappearance a secret. Police said the more people you tell, the more people you have looking on your behalf.
Do not clean up their bedroom or car until police have seen it. Do not dust before fingerprints have been taken.
Do not make changes to their social media accounts or messages. There might be important information in there.
Police said to avoid being tricked you should not put your own phone number or address on missing posters or advertisements. Instead, use the police department contact number.
If you have information about a missing person you should contact the law enforcement agency involved in the case or contact the Michigan State Police at 855-642-4847. Tips can be sent to Michigan State Police via email at MSP-MissingPersons@Michigan.gov.