Missing Persons 

The definition of a missing person varies greatly, therefore making the terminology have no one distinct definition. A missing person is an individual of any age who is missing and proven to be mentally or physically disabled; thereby putting themselves and possibly others into immediate danger (Sawers, 2004).  A missing person can also be an individual of eighteen-years or older who has disappeared under mysterious circumstances, suggesting that their disappearance was non-voluntary, and their physical safety may be in danger (Sawers, 2004). A missing person may also be and individual who is missing after a catastrophic event, like a natural disaster or terrorist attack, or an individual who is declared unemancipated as defined by the state laws of the individual’s residence (Sawers, 2004). There are many more definitions regarding missing persons. Ultimately, it is an individual of any age who has disappeared under questionable circumstances that are out of their usual character insinuating that the person may be in danger or fleeing law enforcement.

Sawers, D. (2004). Missing Persons Investigations. Encyclopedia of Law Enforcement, 1, 290. doi:10.4135/9781412952415.n115