Lexi Webster
If someone goes missing in Australia, it is important to act quickly. The first step is to contact the local police station to file a missing persons report. The police will ask for a physical description, recent photograph, and details of any mobile phone numbers, social media accounts, or vehicle registrations associated with the missing person. It is also crucial to involve the family and friends of the missing person in the search, as they can help by searching places the missing person frequently visited and contacting the person's acquaintances. Social media and missing persons websites can also be powerful tools to raise awareness and spread information about the case. Additionally, organisations like Missing Persons in Australia and the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC) can provide support and assistance in locating missing individuals.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who to contact | Local Police Station, Crime Stoppers, National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC), Australian Federal Police (AFP), Link-Up, Oz Reunion |
| What to provide | Physical description, recent photograph, mobile phone numbers, social media accounts, vehicle registrations, list of friends and possible locations, medical information |
| Additional info | No need to wait 24 hours before reporting, DNA is collected and uploaded to the national database, NMPCC manages the Australian Missing Persons website and public register |
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What You'll Learn
Report a missing person to the police
If you need to report a missing person in Australia, you should visit your local police station. You do not need to wait 24 hours before making a report if you are concerned for someone's safety or welfare and you don't know where they are. A missing person can be anyone: a child, an adult, or a senior.
When making a report, provide as much information as possible to help the police with their investigation. The Australian Police Child ID Safety App is a free tool that can help parents and guardians collect and send important information about their children to the authorities in the event of a disappearance. The local police will keep in contact with you and make enquiries in the area where the person was last seen.
If the disappearance is suspicious, the investigation may be taken over by the local Criminal Investigation Branch or the Major Crime Investigation Section. The National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC) runs the Police Consultative Group on Missing Persons (PCGMP), which helps to ensure a consistent approach and response to missing persons cases across Australia. The NMPCC works in partnership with police in all states and territories, governments, non-government agencies, and the community.
If you have any information about a missing person's possible whereabouts, you can contact Crime Stoppers at 1800 333 000 or visit their website. You won't have to identify yourself, and they will pass your information to the right unit or officer.
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Raise awareness about a missing person
If someone you know goes missing, it is natural to want to do everything in your power to find them. While the police will take the lead on investigating, there are steps you can take to raise awareness and increase the chances of finding your loved one.
First, report the person missing at your local police station. You do not need to wait 24 hours before making a report, and it is often better to report them missing as soon as possible. You must attend the police station in person and provide as much information as possible, including:
- A physical description or recent photograph
- Details of any mobile phone numbers, social media accounts, or vehicle registrations
- A list of friends and/or possible locations they frequent
- Any medical information that may increase the risk to them
Once you have reported the person missing, you can take active steps to raise awareness in your community. It is important to talk to the police before starting any awareness campaigns to ensure you do not hinder their investigation. Here are some steps you can take to raise awareness:
- Display posters and recent photographs in your neighbourhood and other public areas.
- Utilise social media to raise immediate attention.
- Notify the missing person's employer, school, or any other relevant parties.
- Cancel any pre-arranged social engagements, appointments, or travel plans.
- Ensure someone is looking after their house and pets, and arrange for their mail to be collected.
- Make interim arrangements for any outstanding financial obligations.
In urgent matters, such as when a child is missing, the police will send out a 'media alert' to all media outlets. In other cases, the police may use media outlets to share details about a missing person with the public. The family of the missing person can often speak directly to the media, or the police may provide a spokesperson. It is important to be well-prepared before speaking to the media and to consult with the police about the details of the case beforehand.
Remember, going missing is not a crime, and you can always call Crime Stoppers to provide anonymous information about a missing person case.
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DNA identification of a missing person
In Australia, the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC) is a non-operational arm of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) that was established in 2006 to drive national coordination in response to missing persons in Australia. The NMPCC works with state and territory police to identify suitable missing persons cases and helps raise awareness about missing persons and the efforts to find them.
The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) maintains the National Missing Person and Victim System (NMPVS), a web-based application that helps police identify missing persons by enabling them to search data on long-term missing persons, unidentified human remains, and disaster victim identification. The NMPVS has a searchable dental database that complements the National Criminal Investigation DNA Database (NCIDD) and the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS).
The NCIDD is a national DNA database that contains DNA profiles from samples collected by Australian police from crime scenes, convicted offenders, suspects, items belonging to missing persons, and unknown deceased persons. DNA profiles submitted to law enforcement DNA databases like the NCIDD are not publicly available and are regularly searched and retained until the long-term missing person (LTMP) has been located or identified.
The National DNA Program for Unidentified and Missing Persons, launched in July 2020, aims to use advanced DNA profiling and matching techniques to identify missing persons and give answers to families and police investigating cold cases. The program has resulted in matches to long-term missing persons, providing important evidence for coronial investigations. For example, the identity of Mario Della Torre, missing since 1976, was confirmed through this program in 2022.
Relatives of long-term missing persons are encouraged to participate in the program by providing a familial DNA sample, personal effects, medical and dental records, and photographs of their missing loved one. This information helps forensic specialists estimate an unidentified individual's year of birth and death, predict ancestral origin, hair and eye colour, facial appearance, and find genetic relatives.
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Support services for families of missing persons
When a loved one goes missing, it can be a distressing and uncertain time for families. There are a range of support services available across Australia to help families cope with the experience of a person's disappearance.
The National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC) is a non-operational arm of the Australian Federal Police (AFP) that provides support to families and friends of missing persons. The NMPCC works to reduce the impact of missing persons across Australia and actively raises awareness of missing persons through social media. They have developed a support framework for families and friends of missing persons, which can be requested and provided to your General Practitioner. The NMPCC also works with the NSW-based Families and Friends of Missing Persons Unit (FFMPU) to provide free and confidential counselling, information, and support at any stage of a missing person's investigation. The FFMPU can be contacted by phone, face-to-face, or online, and they can also liaise with law enforcement on behalf of the family.
Other support services include The Missed Foundation, which provides emotional and practical assistance to those impacted by the disappearance of a loved one. They also offer support in navigating the media and resources for coping with ambiguous loss. The Australian Red Cross assists in finding family members missing due to war, disaster, or migration, while International Social Service Australia helps locate family members separated by adoption, legal intervention, international child abduction, or migration. Link-Up (NSW) offers reunion services for adult Aboriginal people separated from their families.
It is important to take care of yourself and your family during this difficult time. This may include making time for yourself, acknowledging your feelings, communicating with others, and seeking professional help if needed. Keeping a routine and staying grounded through everyday tasks can also help manage unexpected and emotional situations.
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Online resources to find a missing person
There are a variety of online resources available to help find a missing person in Australia. The first step is to file a missing persons report at your local police station. The Australian Federal Police's National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC) works to complement local law enforcement investigations to find missing persons. The NMPCC also hosts events, such as the National Missing Persons Hackathon, to gather intelligence and potential leads.
The NSW Police Missing Persons Registry (MPR) is another resource, consisting of a team of experienced detectives and analysts who review daily reports and historical matters. The MPR provides support and advice to police working in the community. The MPR has a website and email address, and can be contacted by phone.
The Australian Red Cross provides a worldwide free tracing service to help find relatives missing due to wars, internal conflict, migration, and natural disasters. The organisation also conducts worldwide searches where contact has been lost.
Oz Reunion is a website that, for a fee, allows users to submit a post with details of family or friends they wish to make contact with. Social media platforms such as Facebook can also be useful, especially local community pages if you know the town, city, or area in which the missing person lives.
The National Library of Australia offers access to historical electoral rolls and other research materials that can help locate family and friends. The Library also provides access to military history resources and records.
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Frequently asked questions
If someone goes missing in Australia, you should contact the police right away. You can do this by visiting your local police station or by calling Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. You do not have to wait 24 hours to report someone missing.
You should provide the police with as much information as possible. This includes the missing person's name, age, physical description, last known whereabouts, and a recent photo. You should also give details of any mobile phone numbers, social media accounts, or vehicle registrations that are associated with the missing person.
You can create a missing person poster with the person's details and a clear, recent photo. You should also contact the missing person's friends, colleagues, employers, and relatives to see if they have any information that could help locate them. Additionally, you can utilise social media to raise awareness of the case, but be mindful of the long-term implications of sharing personal information online.
Yes, there are organisations that specialise in locating missing persons in Australia, such as Missing Persons in Australia. The Australian Federal Police also runs the National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC) to complement local law enforcement investigations, and they are active on social media to raise awareness of missing persons.
It is always better to report a person missing if you have genuine concerns for their safety and welfare. Going missing is not a crime, and the police are there to ensure the safety of the public.
