Myths, Facts and Statistics

Myths and Facts — Dispelling Common Misconceptions about Missing Persons and Survivors

Missing persons cases can be shrouded in myths and misconceptions, which can lead to confusion and misunderstanding of the issue. In this page, we’ll address some common myths and facts about missing persons and survivors.

Myths and Facts:

Myth: Most missing persons are runaways.

Fact: According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, only a small percentage of missing persons cases involve runaways. Many cases involve children or adults who are missing due to abduction, human trafficking, or other criminal activity.

Myth: Only children go missing.

Fact: People of all ages and backgrounds can go missing, including adults and seniors. In fact, the majority of missing person cases involve adults.

Myth: All missing persons are voluntarily missing.

Fact: While some missing persons may have voluntarily left, many cases involve abduction, self-harm, homelessness or other forms of foul play. It’s important to take every missing person case seriously, as there may be a risk to the individual’s safety.

Myth: If a person is missing for a long time, they are likely dead.

Fact: While it’s true that some missing persons are never found, many cases involve individuals who are recovered after weeks, months, or even years. Survivors of long-term missing cases may require specialized services to help them heal and recover.

Myth: Survivors of missing person cases are always happy to be reunited with their families.

Fact: While it’s true that many survivors are overjoyed to be reunited with their families, others may experience a range of emotions, including trauma, fear, and anxiety. Survivors may require specialized services to help them heal and recover from the experience.

Statistics:

  • According to the National Crime Information Center, there were 609,275 missing persons cases in the United States in 2020.
    • Reference: National Crime Information Center, “2020 Missing Person and Unidentified Person Statistics”, https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/2020-missing-person-and-unidentified-person-statistics.pdf/view
  • The majority of missing persons cases involve juveniles (persons under the age of 18), with 203,600 cases reported in 2020.
    • Reference: National Crime Information Center, “2020 Missing Person and Unidentified Person Statistics”, https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/2020-missing-person-and-unidentified-person-statistics.pdf/view
  • In 2020, there were 19,676 active missing person cases involving adults, with 95% of those cases being resolved within a year.
    • Reference: National Crime Information Center, “2020 Missing Person and Unidentified Person Statistics”, https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/2020-missing-person-and-unidentified-person-statistics.pdf/view
  • The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children assisted in the recovery of 25,800 missing children in 2020.
    • Reference: National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, “2020 NCMEC Missing Children Statistics”, https://www.missingkids.org/content/dam/missingkids/pdfs/2020NCMEC_Missing_Children_Statistics.pdf
  • In 2020, the FBI’s National Crime Information Center received over 89,000 reports of possible human trafficking, involving over 44,000 victims.
    • Reference: Federal Bureau of Investigation, “Human Trafficking”, https://www.fbi.gov/investigate/civil-rights/human-trafficking
  • In 2020, the number of missing Indigenous people in the United States was nearly 10 times higher than the number of non-Indigenous missing people.
    • Reference: National Crime Information Center, “2020 Missing Person and Unidentified Person Statistics”, https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/2020-missing-person-and-unidentified-person-statistics.pdf/view
  • According to the National Runaway Safeline, an estimated 1.6 to 2.8 million youth run away from home each year in the United States.
    • Reference: National Runaway Safeline, “Statistics”, https://www.1800runaway.org/runaway-statistics/
  • The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Crime Information Center reported a total of 4,539 unidentified persons in the United States in 2020.
    • Reference: National Crime Information Center, “2020 Missing Person and Unidentified Person Statistics”, https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/2020-missing-person-and-unidentified-person-statistics.pdf/view
  • In the United States, approximately 60% of missing persons cases involve males, while 40% involve females.
    • Reference: National Crime Information Center, “2020 Missing Person and Unidentified Person Statistics”, https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/2020-missing-person-and-unidentified-person-statistics.pdf/view
  • The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) currently contains information on over 14,000 unidentified persons and over 10,000 missing persons.
    • Reference: National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, “NamUs By the Numbers”, https://www.namus.gov/About/Statistics

Statistics on missing persons and survivors highlight the breadth and depth of this cause  Additionally, this data identifies strategic areas of concern to aid in developing  prevention and recovery efforts . By understanding the latest trends and data, we can work together to make our communities safer and more resilient.