In an average year, 800,000 people are officially reported missing and entered into the FBI’s National Crime Information Center database. Of those that go missing, as many as 85-90% of them are minors. While police do the best they can with the resources they have available, they do have other crimes and public protection services to attend to. They’re also less likely to raise major search efforts for people believed to have left willingly or run away. A PI will start looking for someone as soon as you hire them and will continue looking as long as you are still seeking answers.
Types of Missing Persons
Who are the most common types of people searched for in missing persons cases. Here are a few of the major categories of missing persons:
- Fugitives from the law
- Debtors that owe money
- Long lost loved ones
- Family members who have disappeared
- Runaways
- Minors who have been kidnapped
- Missing persons who are part of a cold case
Some of these people could have gone missing due to loss of touch with the person, foul play, kidnapping, drugs, running away and deliberate evasion. So, how do PIs find people who have gone missing, especially if they don’t want to be found?
How PIs Find Missing Persons
Here are just some of the ways PIs go about finding missing persons.
- Interviewing witnesses and known associates
- Checking with informants
- Physical searches by land, air or water using drones, dogs and various tracking techniques
- Searching hospitals, rehab centers, mental health facilities, morgues, mortuaries and other facilities
- Checking major transportation hubs such as airports, bus stations, train stations and rail lines
- Running background checks, including social media background
- Surveillance and videotaping
- Networking with other PIs
- Coordinating with law enforcement (when resources are available)
PIs use a variety of ways to track down and find missing persons. If someone you love or someone you are concerned about has gone missing, call Bulldog PI. We will work to get you the answers you need in your missing persons case.
