missing persons
People gone unexplained
Missing persons are individuals whose whereabouts are unknown and who may be lost, abducted, or dead.
The term typically appears in official contexts: a missing persons report, a missing persons case, the missing persons bureau.
Police classify someone as a missing person when family or friends report they cannot be located.
The plural form often functions as a modifier even when referring to a single case.
Professional crime investigator
- forensicsScientific crime-scene analysis
- cold caseUnsolved crime, investigation suspended
- leadsGoes in front
- cluesHints toward answers
evidence · witnesses · interviews · surveillance · timeline · last seen · foul play · suspect
Unlawful seizure of person
- kidnappingUnlawful seizure of person
- traffickingIllegal transport for profit
- ransomPayment for captive's release
- exploitationSelfish use of others
snatching · forced disappearance · captivity · captor · predator · luring · grooming · custody dispute
Not yet recognized
- Jane DoePlaceholder for unknown woman
- John DoePlaceholder for unidentified males
- runawaysThose who fled
- presumed deadLegally considered no longer living
found · located · reunited · identified · remains · recovery
Intense sorrow from loss
- anguishIntense mental suffering
- heartacheDeep emotional distress
- desperationUtter loss of hope
- helplessnessLacking ability to cope
yearning · longing · absence · void · emptiness · closure · uncertainty · limbo
Missing child notification system
- silver alertMissing senior notification
- broadcastTransmitted media signal
- coverageExtent of inclusion
- headlineNews article title
bulletin · press conference · social media · viral · news coverage · age progression · reward · tipster
Group seeking someone lost
- volunteersUnpaid willing workers
- manhuntSearch for a suspect
- tracking dogsCanines trained to follow scents
- canvassingSystematic direct voter outreach
flyers · posters · ground search · sonar · dive team · cadaver dogs · rescue · recovery
detective
Professional crime investigator
- forensicsScientific crime-scene analysis
- cold caseUnsolved crime, investigation suspended
- leadsGoes in front
clues · evidence · witnesses · interviews · surveillance · timeline · last seen · foul play · suspect · perpetrator
abduction
Unlawful seizure of person
- kidnappingUnlawful seizure of person
- traffickingIllegal transport for profit
- ransomPayment for captive's release
exploitation · snatching · forced disappearance · captivity · captor · predator · luring · grooming · custody dispute · parental abduction
unidentified
Not yet recognized
- Jane DoePlaceholder for unknown woman
- John DoePlaceholder for unidentified males
- runawaysThose who fled
presumed dead · found · located · reunited · identified · remains · recovery
grief
Intense sorrow from loss
- anguishIntense mental suffering
- heartacheDeep emotional distress
- desperationUtter loss of hope
helplessness · yearning · longing · absence · void · emptiness · closure · uncertainty · limbo · torment
amber alert
Missing child notification system
- silver alertMissing senior notification
- broadcastTransmitted media signal
- coverageExtent of inclusion
headline · bulletin · press conference · social media · viral · news coverage · age progression · reward · tipster · breaking news
search party
Group seeking someone lost
- volunteersUnpaid willing workers
- manhuntSearch for a suspect
- tracking dogsCanines trained to follow scents
canvassing · flyers · posters · ground search · sonar · dive team · cadaver dogs · rescue · recovery · search and rescue
- Criminal Investigationdetective, crime scene, crime investigation, forensics, investigator
- disaster responsedisaster relief, search and rescue, first responders, emergency preparedness, emergency shelter
- police workpatrol, arrests, arrest, stings, investigation
- disaster newsbreaking news, emergency alerts, disaster relief, rescue operations, evacuation orders
- crime databasesAFIS, criminal records, DNA database, FBI database, criminal history
- Crime Watchwanted posters, fugitives, mugshots, cold cases, tip lines
miss, person, missing, missed, misses, disappearances, missable, missing person