Lexi Webster
Australia has approximately 2,000 long-term missing persons and 500 unidentified human remains. While over 98% of people reported missing are located, a small percentage are never found. This amounts to 38,000 missing persons reports received by the police each year, with around half of those being young people. The reasons for disappearances vary and can include mental illness, miscommunication, misadventure, domestic violence, and being a victim of crime.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of missing persons reports received by police each year | 38,000 |
| Percentage of people reported missing who are located | Over 98% |
| Number of long-term missing persons | 2,600 |
| Number of unidentified human remains | 500 |
| Organisations involved in missing persons cases | National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC), State and Territory police, Police Consultative Group on Missing Persons (PCGMP) |
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What You'll Learn
The National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC)
The NMPCC manages the Australian Missing Persons website and public register, and is active on social media, helping to raise awareness of missing persons and the efforts to find them. They also commission national research to identify trends and issues around missing persons. The NMPCC represents Australia and the missing persons sector nationally and internationally, and works with international missing persons investigations through liaison with INTERPOL Canberra.
The NMPCC plays a key role in strengthening cooperative arrangements between state and territory police, government, and non-government agencies. They work in partnership with these organisations, as well as with families and friends of missing persons. The NMPCC also chairs and funds the Police Consultative Group on Missing Persons (PCGMP), which brings together the AFP and all state and territory missing persons units.
The NMPCC is involved in raising awareness and educating the community on the issues and impacts of missing persons in Australia. They promote prevention and education through community engagement and advertising campaigns. National missing persons posters are published in March and October each year and sent to relevant organisations for public display. The NMPCC also co-hosts events, such as the annual Walk for Daniel, to raise awareness of child safety and to fundraise.
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Long-term missing persons
In Australia, more than 38,000 missing persons reports are received by the police each year. While most people are found within a short period, there remain approximately 2,600 long-term missing persons—those who have been missing for more than three months.
The National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC) uses various methods to profile missing persons across the country, including a website, missing persons posters, social media, and outdoor advertising. They also work with corporate supporters and participate in events such as International Missing Children's Day and National Missing Persons Week.
The NMPCC plays a crucial role in shaping policies and impacting community outcomes for missing persons. They collaborate with international investigations through INTERPOL Canberra and chair the Police Consultative Group on Missing Persons (PCGMP). This group ensures a consistent approach and response from police and search agencies across Australia and New Zealand.
The PCGMP meeting in November 2024 explored new initiatives to assist with long-term missing persons investigations and unidentified human remains cases.
The emotional impact of having a missing relative or friend is significant, and support services are available for families and friends of missing persons. DNA technology is a valuable tool for identifying missing persons, and a national DNA identification program is essential for solving cold cases and providing answers to families.
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DNA identification
While the majority of missing persons in Australia are located alive and well, there are still thousands of missing persons and unidentified human remains in the country. As of 2023, there were 750 unidentified human remains, and around 2000 long-term missing persons in Australia.
The National DNA Program for Unidentified and Missing Persons, led by the Australian Federal Police, has been instrumental in resolving 46 cases as of 2023. The program, which commenced in July 2020, uses the latest forensic techniques and databases to help identify human remains and find missing persons. The program has been extended until the end of 2023 to allow for the testing of a larger number of unidentified human remains.
Forensic DNA phenotyping, which uses DNA to predict an individual's ancestry and physical appearance, is an important tool for missing persons investigations. By applying this technology to bones, investigators can narrow down the list of potential missing persons, identify potential relatives, and add details to facial reconstructions.
DNA testing is often the only way to positively identify people, especially in cases where the remains are skeletal or degraded. A bone, tooth, nail, tissue, or hair sample can be used to obtain a DNA profile, and this can be compared to a database of DNA profiles from missing persons. In some cases, DNA from family members of the missing person can be used for DNA matching, as they share similar and predictable patterns in their DNA profiles.
The National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC) plays a key role in coordinating a national approach to missing persons in Australia. They manage the Australian Missing Persons website and public register, and are active on social media to raise awareness of missing persons and the efforts to find them. The NMPCC also connects with international missing persons investigations through INTERPOL Canberra.
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Missing Persons Week
Australia's National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC) is responsible for coordinating a national approach to missing persons cases. The NMPCC's mission is to reduce the number of people who go missing and mitigate the impact on their families and communities.
During National Missing Persons Week, which is held annually in Australia, the centre and other organisations raise awareness about missing persons and the efforts to find them. In the lead-up to National Missing Persons Week, people who have taken DNA tests are encouraged to download their raw DNA data and upload it to GEDmatch, selecting the "opt-in for law enforcement" option. This can help identify unidentified human remains and bring closure to families.
In Australia, there are approximately 2,000 missing persons and 500 unidentified human remains at any given time. While over 98% of reported missing persons cases are located, and most are found alive and well, the emotional impact on families and friends of those missing is significant. The grief and uncertainty of not knowing what happened to a loved one can be overwhelming.
During National Missing Persons Week, it is important to remember those who are still missing and to continue raising awareness and providing support to their families. It is also a time to acknowledge the work of organisations like the NMPCC and the WA Police Missing Persons Team, who are dedicated to investigating these cases and providing support to those affected.
With the advancement of technology, particularly in DNA testing and forensic DNA phenotyping, there is an increased chance of finding matches for unidentified human remains and solving cold cases. A national DNA identification program is essential to identifying Australia's unknown and missing citizens.
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Reasons for going missing
Australia has around 2000 missing persons and 500 unidentified human remains at any given time. 38,000 Australians are reported missing each year, and nearly all missing persons (97-98%) return within two weeks. However, a small percentage of those reported missing have never been located, and their families are left without closure.
There are various reasons why people go missing. In Australia, research has shown that most respondents went missing primarily due to periods of distress or poor mental health, as well as in response to trauma in their families. Many chose not to tell others they were planning to disappear. Additionally, Indigenous people, particularly women, and those struggling with addictions, mental illness, or cognitive disabilities are at a higher risk of going missing.
The increase in missing persons cases in Australia has been particularly notable in outback towns in northern Western Australia, where young men have been vanishing without a trace. There is a sense of growing tension and unease in these communities, with rumours and speculation about the disappearances.
The families of the missing persons often express their need for closure and feel that their cases are not treated with equal importance. They grapple with the emotional impact of not knowing what happened to their loved ones.
The underlying issues that trigger disappearances are often overlooked, making it challenging to implement effective prevention strategies. Recognising the broader social and emotional factors that cause people to go missing is essential for developing solutions and addressing this complex issue.
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Frequently asked questions
38,000 people are reported missing in Australia each year.
While most missing people are located within days, there are approximately 2,000 long-term missing persons in Australia, meaning they have been missing for more than three months.
The National Missing Persons Coordination Centre (NMPCC) is dedicated to reducing the number of people who go missing and the impact this has. They manage the Australian Missing Persons website and public register, and are active on social media, helping to raise awareness of missing persons and efforts to find them.
There are many reasons why someone may go missing, including mental illness, miscommunication, misadventure, domestic violence, and being a victim of crime.
