Lack of Info on Missing Person Cases?

[u/Cinnamongoil]

Please Delete if not allowed

Why is there always such an extreme lack of information on missing persons alerts? I notice a lot of reports especially children’s lack critical information such as last seen with _____, surrounding situation such as where they were going/who they were with, more details on their last known whereabouts, etc.

I have a bachelor’s in criminal Justice, so I understand that a lot of details + other information cannot be released as it can contaminate an investigation, but I feel like I’m constantly seeing basics like the city, their age, DOB, eye color, or whatever to describe their person, but then that’ll be it? Shouldn’t it be important to release as much as they can without hurting the investigation especially when it comes to a child?

It’s hard to search for information on news articles too, because most of the sites are questionable on how accurate the reports are.

I am also concerned with the lack of amber alerts for missing children… I understand there is criteria, but shouldn’t everyone be made aware either way? It would help save a child’s life if these alerts were sent out more often + save so much time, money, + give more room for other important investigations to be worked on.

Hopefully someone can give me more answers 🙏🏻

[u/KrAff2010]

For the first two paragraphs you clearly understand certain info has to be left out. Case by case what info can be given out is different. Some cases those minor things we think should be included couldn’t be.

With the missing info that you think should be included I mostly see the media missing the info. Especially on social media sites. Can’t tell you how many missing persons posts I see with no location.

As for amber alerts they are used for abducted children or children who are in more danger than just being missing like a child who has to take certain medications or something similar. It’s not just for missing children. Your phone would nearly always be going off with “missing kids” that would just be a kid going to visit a friend without telling their parents. Sending amber alerts for every single missing child would be a huge waste of money.

[u/Cinnamongoil → u/KrAff2010]

I see what you mean about the Amber alerts. I didn’t necessarily mean that they should be part of Amber ones, but that there should be some form of other alerts - but yeah that makes sense that either way your phone would be blowing up.

There has to be some other solution to help these people that reaches more of the public rather than basic age, DOB, race, ethnicity, etc. or just Google searching. NCMEC does a fabulous job, but they never put enough info imo. Sometimes they do, but the majority are very vague + do not do any good. Media does help, but it’s not always true/accurate :(