The rising interest in true-crime content has prompted certain women to compile binders that include personal details and a record of past relationships.
While the possibility of going missing is quite low, it is important to acknowledge that being prepared can significantly enhance your chances of being located within the initial hours of such an event.
The reality of death is often a difficult subject to confront. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the probability of falling victim to homicide is less than 0.01 percent. Furthermore, statistics indicate that most victims are acquainted with their assailants, with women frequently being targeted by current or former partners. In contrast, the risk of dying from other causes, such as accidents at home or on the road, is significantly higher.
In the case of a legally recognized adult who is mentally competent and goes missing, The law enforcement protocol would involve verifying their safety and subsequently departing. Conversely, if the individual is deemed mentally incompetent or is a minor, appropriate measures would be taken to ensure their detention and safe return to the necessary location.
…your habits, your routines, your most dangerous activities…
While the excitement surrounding binders is palpable, it is essential to recognize that numerous critical aspects may be overlooked. This raises an important question: what steps can I take to adequately prepare myself for the potential scenario of becoming a missing person?
There is no need to create a binder with your car insurance details, the make and model of your car and any other such things, these are the details that are easily accessible to law enforcement. What isn’t, however, is your habits, your routines, your most dangerous activities that might lead you to be the centre of a missing person’s case.
In cases where juveniles are not involved, being reported as missing is not classified as a crime, and therefore, law enforcement typically will not take individuals into custody unless there is a concern for their safety, such as suicidal tendencies.
the initial inquiries revolve around whether the individual has been checked in hospitals, correctional facilities, or mental health wards
The majority of individuals reported missing are not in danger; when located, police generally inquire about their well-being and encourage them to reach out to the person who reported them missing. After this, officers usually allow them to continue on their way.
The actions taken by law enforcement largely depend on the nature of the circumstances surrounding the report. In fact, over 99% of non-suicidal individuals reported missing are safe and often return home within a short period. Consequently, police resources are not extensively mobilized unless there are clear indicators of suspicious activity.
A significant percentage of missing persons reports, approximately 99%, often do not lead to any substantial outcomes. Frequently, the initial inquiries revolve around whether the individual has been checked in hospitals, correctional facilities, or mental health wards, where they may have been located all along.
Additionally, there are cases involving estranged relatives or former partners seeking to serve legal documents, which we typically decline to assist with, as well as individuals who prefer to sever ties with their friends or family. Efforts and resources are primarily directed towards cases classified as “missing endangered,” where there is an immediate concern for the individual’s safety and actionable leads are available.
Have you ever witnessed someone escaping from captors while perfectly made up?
However, these cases do not typically include situations like, “I haven’t heard from my son in a year, and he has diabetes,” which represent a large portion of the reports. Instead, they focus on urgent scenarios, such as, “My 11-year-old son with autism has gone missing at a park near a body of water and is unable to swim.”
In the unfortunate circumstance of a genuine missing person case, it will not be your polished photographs or your carefully curated online persona that will aid in your return. Rather, it will be the individuals you have documented as negative influences, the activities you prefer to keep private, and those candid images where you may not appear your best.
Have you ever witnessed someone escaping from captors while perfectly made up? The answer is no. Therefore, it is advisable to focus less on presenting an idealized version of yourself for social media and prioritize your well-being.
It is prudent to consider making arrangements for your loved ones
Utilize images that are not publicly accessible, and importantly, include several photos of yourself in a natural state, as if just waking up. These should be part of a hypothetical “if I go missing” file. Ultimately, your passwords will be of little use if law enforcement accesses your computer; it is not a password that will provide security in such situations.
I am not discouraging anyone from engaging in online activities; however, it is important to acknowledge that over the past two years, a significant number of Americans—many of whom were unable to communicate—have tragically lost their lives. Likely, very few anticipated such outcomes. It is prudent to consider making arrangements for your loved ones to manage your affairs in the event of an unforeseen circumstance. While we do not anticipate being involved in a traffic accident or a mass shooting, unexpected events can occur.
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