Missing Persons

About

A missing person is defined as someone who has disappeared and whose status as alive or dead cannot be confirmed due to unknown location and condition. People may go missing through voluntary disappearance or due to accidents, crimes, or death in locations where they cannot be found, such as at sea, among many other reasons. In most parts of the world, missing persons are usually found quickly. Criminal abductions represent some of the most widely reported missing person cases. However, some missing person cases remain unresolved for many years. Laws related to these cases are often complex since in many jurisdictions, relatives and third parties may not deal with a person's assets until their death is considered proven by law and a formal death certificate is issued. The situation, uncertainties, and lack of closure or a funeral resulting when a person goes missing may be extremely painful with long-lasting effects on family and friends.