| Each year, thousands of people in the United | | | | twenty years. This is mostly due to the heavy |
| States and around the world disappear without a | | | | increase in education for children. In the United |
| trace. Many of these people are found, however | | | | States and Europe, children are taught to stay out |
| many of them are not. When a person | | | | of situations where abductions might occur. They |
| disappears, there is always a chance that | | | | are also taught what to say and do if a person |
| someone will find them, if the right protocol is | | | | approaches them and attempts to lure them |
| followed. If authorities and police fail to locate | | | | away. However, despite the best efforts of |
| them, it may be prudent to consider taking a | | | | government programs and family awareness, |
| different approach and hiring a private | | | | there are still many children that disappear each |
| investigation firm. | | | | day. |
| Kidnapping and Abduction | | | | Protocol for Missing Persons and Children |
| Kidnapping is a very serious charge, and can be | | | | There is a certain protocol that is followed when a |
| very difficult to solve. However, when a person | | | | child is missing. Even though the police systems in |
| takes a child over state lines, things can become | | | | the United States may vary from state to state, |
| even worse. When someone kidnaps a child, the | | | | the protocol is generally the same. The main idea |
| police department in the state where the | | | | is to get the information out to the public as soon |
| kidnapping happened is in charge of the | | | | as possible. |
| investigation. The state where the abduction | | | | When a child is reported as missing, the first thing |
| happened is the state that heads up the | | | | that happens is that a complete description of the |
| investigation. The police from that particular state | | | | child is taken. This will include as much information |
| attempt to find the child that has disappeared. If a | | | | about the child's background and appearance as |
| person is found to have kidnapped a child, it is | | | | possible. Therefore, the eye color, hair color and |
| also the state that will punish them for this action. | | | | size of the child will be recorded. The police or |
| The punishment for kidnapping varies according to | | | | private investigator will also want to know what |
| several factors. These factors include how long | | | | the child was wearing when they disappeared. |
| the child was missing, what happened to the child | | | | Other recognizable characteristics that might be |
| while they were missing, and what the result of | | | | requested include things on the child's body, such |
| the kidnapping was. | | | | as scars or birthmarks, as well as unique |
| When a child is taken over state lines, the | | | | behavioral patterns such as disabilities or speech |
| situation gets worse. In the United States, | | | | patterns. |
| kidnapping a child is an offense that is made | | | | Information is also gathered regarding the person |
| worse if the kidnapper takes the child over state | | | | who took the child, if available. This might include a |
| lines. At this point, the FBI gets involved. | | | | description of the person, the vehicle being driven, |
| Therefore, when a person is charged with | | | | or any other information about the kidnapper. This |
| kidnapping a child, and they took the child over | | | | information is taken from clues found at the |
| state lines, they are going to get a much higher | | | | scene, as well as from eyewitness accounts. |
| punishment. In Europe, a kidnapper will be in much | | | | After the descriptions have been taken, and a |
| more trouble if they have taken a child from one | | | | current photo of the child has been collected, the |
| country to another. | | | | police or private investigator move into the next |
| Missing Children | | | | phase of the investigation, which mainly entails |
| Most of the missing persons cases in the United | | | | getting the information out to the public. In the |
| States and Europe have to do with missing | | | | United States, when a child is missing, an Amber |
| children. Children are taken every day from parks, | | | | Alert is put out, which is a public notification giving |
| roadways, and other public areas such as | | | | a description of the child and also a description of |
| shopping centers and schools. In most of the | | | | the person who took the child if possible. |
| missing children cases, time is an extremely | | | | From this point on, the investigation is considered |
| important factor. When a child is taken, the two | | | | open. The police will work with tips and |
| days following the abduction are the most | | | | eyewitness accounts, in order to find the missing |
| important period for authorities and investigators. | | | | child as soon as possible. The case is continued to |
| If a child is taken and recovered within the | | | | be open until the child is found. |
| following forty-eight hours, the child has a better | | | | If, after a period of time, the police and state |
| chance of being found alive. However, after | | | | authorities are either unable or unwilling to continue |
| forty-eight hours have passed, the chance is | | | | the investigation into a person's disappearance, |
| much lower that the child will be found alive, or | | | | hiring a private investigator to continue looking for |
| that they will be found at all. | | | | the missing person is highly advisable and can lead |
| Child abductions have been happening in the world | | | | to the eventual discovery of the missing person. |
| for many years. They have also been happening | | | | There are no guarantees in cases of kidnapping |
| in the undeveloped world for a long time, although | | | | and missing persons, however a private |
| these are not as publicized as those that happen | | | | investigator may be able to explore avenues not |
| in the developed world. In the United States and | | | | considered or attempted by authorities. |
| Europe, child abductions have declined in the past | | | | |