NCJ Number
255162
Date Published
July 2020
Length
1 page
Annotation
This fact sheet describes the features, uses, and accessibility of the databases of the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) in facilitating the mission of Operation Lady Justice, which is the initiative launched and administered by the Presidential Task Force on Missing and Murdered American Indians and Alaska Natives.
Abstract
NamUs 2.0 Database stores records of three case types: missing persons, unidentified persons (living and deceased), and unclaimed remains. It stores detailed biometric coding/classifications (e.g., dental and fingerprints) with associated high-resolution image files. NamUs staff assist with the acquisition and entry of biometric information, and forensic subject-matter experts perform secondary review of all biometric information to ensure accuracy and completeness. Authorized local, state, tribal, and federal law enforcement officers, as well as medical examiners, coroners, and allied forensic specialists can enter, manage, and view sensitive information. Public users can make missing person entries, which are vetted with appropriate criminal justice agencies prior to publication. The NCIC contains 21 files (7 property files and 14 person files), which include the Missing and Unidentified Person files. The NCIC stores detailed biographic data that can be associated with biometric systems, such as the Next Generation Identification System, the National Dental Image Repository, and the Combined DNA Index System. All authorized agencies can access NCIC through their appropriate state or federal Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Systems Agency (CSA). Access is not available to the public. Potential matches between the Missing and Unidentified Person files are automatically generated and sent via daily system messages to the investigating agency and record-owning agency.