When someone we know and love goes missing, our instinct is to try to help find them. This can be psychologically and physically very draining. Not everyone can or wants to do this and that’s fine. We also need to consider how much effort we can put into it, e.g. if our loved one has mental health issues and may not feel safe.
Tracing refers to the very early stages of a missing person search, which is carried out in areas where the person might be located or where reliable information could be collected on their whereabouts. It is often done by a non-governmental organization, such as the ICRC or a National Society.
Reach out to the missing person’s former and current friends, colleagues, employers and all known relatives. Ask when they last saw the missing person and if they have any information that might be helpful. Search places where the person liked to go and hang out like shopping centres, restaurants, railway or bus stations, etc. Contact local transport services to see if the person has been using public transportation and to check if their cellular phone has been traced.
Enter the missing person into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. This is a powerful resource for law enforcement, medical examiners and families.
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