NCJ Number
87561
Date Published
1982
Length
130 pages
Annotation
Testimony on the Missing Children's Act, which mandates a national clearinghouse for missing children and unidentified bodies, generally supports the intent of the bill with some modifications and recommendations for implementation.
Abstract
Sen. Paula Hawkins supports the general intent of H.R. 3781 but recommends the following additions: (1) inclusion of all missing children in the file, including victims of parental kidnapping; (2) no waiting period before declaring a child missing; (3) providing for parents to enter their missing children in the file should law enforcement officials fail to do so; and (4) placement of data on unidentified bodies in the national data base 15 days after discovery of the body. Testimony from parents of missing children, law enforcement officials, and child advocacy organizations documents the limited scope and use of existing data bases on missing children as well as the nonstandardization of data across jurisdictions. Some witnesses identified the National Crime Information Center as the logical repository of the proposed clearinghouse, since it already maintains files on missing persons. Testimony notes the limited use of the missing person files of the National Crime Information Center and suggests ways to expand and improve its use under the proposed legislation. Written statements and various materials on missing children are included.