NCJ Number
214542
Journal
Law Enforcement Technology Volume: 33 Issue: 4 Dated: April 2006 Pages: 82,84,86-88,90,92
Date Published
April 2006
Length
8 pages
Annotation
This article describes the work of EquuSearch, a nonprofit search organization that assists law enforcement in the search for missing persons.
Abstract
Founded 6 years ago by Tim Miller, the father of a daughter who was missing and later found murdered, the organization offers missing persons search services to families and law enforcement agencies free of charge. When the organization first began Miller expected to use only a handful of volunteers and his two horses to search for three or four missing persons per year. These expectations were quickly exceeded; EquuSearch has an active membership of 280 people and has over 35,000 volunteers from around the country who have assisted in more than 470 missing persons searches. EquuSearch has also built up an impressive arsenal of equipment that includes side-scan sonar equipment, ground penetrating radar, infrared and night vision gear, and cadaver dogs. Miller explains that his organization offers important support to family members who often have no where else to turn. Although it is usually family members who first contact EquuSearch, law enforcement agencies have been grateful for the search help because it frees their investigators to focus on investigating the disappearance. Miller is careful to point out that EquuSearch does not conduct investigations, just searches, and only does so after contacting law enforcement agencies and receiving permission. The article contains textboxes that describe specific cases EquuSearch has been involved with and offer information on working with volunteer search and rescue groups.