What You Should Know to Help the Missing

[Salem]

I found this link and wanted to be sure to share it. It is written by a Detective from California. Very good information here: http://porchlightforthemissinganduid.tripod.com/

I recommend we all read it. It can also be shared with family members of the missing if you feel it is appropriate.

Salem

[capoly]

I found this link and wanted to be sure to share it. It is written by a Detective from California. Very good information here: http://porchlightforthemissinganduid.tripod.com/

I recommend we all read it. It can also be shared with family members of the missing if you feel it is appropriate.

Salem

Thank you, Salem, for posting this link. DCI David Van Norman's words offer moral support as well as information.

[Salem]

Here's another tidbit I am learning about, and again I am just learning about this so if anyone knows different or has an opportunity to check with a trusted LE agent, it would be appreciated.

If a missing person only has mitochrondia DNA in the database (from mom and/or siblings) it will NOT be automatically checked against an unidentified person. The FBI must get permission from the submitter of the MDNA (mom and/or siblings) to run the comparison. This means the family will be notified and told that FBI would like to run a potential match.

What that means to us (I think) is that if we know only MDNA is in the database for a missing person, we MUST ask LE to request a comparison against any UID we think might be a possible. LE must then contact FBI who will contact the family for permission. It also means that when submitting a potential match we should try to work among ourselves for consensus of at least a couple of sleuths to be pretty sure it is a strong possibility and ask LE a lot of questions so that we avoid upsetting family where possible.

I wish that the family would just sign to check everyone so that they did not have to get their hopes up. We have so many missing persons and UIDs that have been gone for sooooo long, that in some cases I really think a long shot is worth submitting.

Just some thoughts,

Salem

[capoly]

Here's another tidbit I am learning about, and again I am just learning about this so if anyone knows different or has an opportunity to check with a trusted LE agent, it would be appreciated.

If a missing person only has mitochrondia DNA in the database (from mom and/or siblings) it will NOT be automatically checked against an unidentified person. The FBI must get permission from the submitter of the MDNA (mom and/or siblings) to run the comparison. This means the family will be notified and told that FBI would like to run a potential match.

What that means to us (I think) is that if we know only MDNA is in the database for a missing person, we MUST ask LE to request a comparison against any UID we think might be a possible. LE must then contact FBI who will contact the family for permission. It also means that when submitting a potential match we should try to work among ourselves for consensus of at least a couple of sleuths to be pretty sure it is a strong possibility and ask LE a lot of questions so that we avoid upsetting family where possible.

I wish that the family would just sign to check everyone so that they did not have to get their hopes up. We have so many missing persons and UIDs that have been gone for sooooo long, that in some cases I really think a long shot is worth submitting.

Just some thoughts,

Salem

Thank you again, Salem, really appreciate your sharing as you learn. :blowkiss: