A missing person is defined as anyone who is reported missing to the police, whose whereabouts is unknown and there are fears for the safety or welfare of that person.
I. Work together. Do you think the information below is true or false?
• Going missing is not a crime.
• 99.5 per cent of people are located–85 per cent within a week of being reported missing.
• Approximately one-third of missing persons go missing more than once.
• Approximately two-thirds of missing persons are under the age of 18 (i.e. around 20,000).
• Many young missing persons are located at a friend’s house.
• Stranger abductions are rare–most people are located safe and well.
• People go missing for a number of reasons–whethervoluntarily or involuntarily.A child goes missing in the United States every 40 seconds.The first 3 hours are the most crucial for the safe return of a child.It can take more than 2 hours to gather information from a panicked parent.
Sources:http://www.amberalert.com/about/amber-alert/facts/
Answer Key: All are true.
II. What are the steps one should take if someone you know goes missing? Work together and come up with a sequence of steps you think one should take.
III. Check your list with the authoroties' instructions and learn how to act in these cases.
Act fast. Go to the police immediately.
Reporting the missing person quickly improves your chance of finding the individual.
Fill out a missing person report.Write down a physical description of the missing person. Be as accurate and specific as possible. Include eye color; hair color and style; approximate weight and height; braces or glasses, if applicable; and any identifying markings, like tattoos, earrings, birthmarks or scars.
Describe what the missing person was wearing at the time of the disappearance, if possible.
Give the details for the events leading up to the disappearance. Provide any information that may help in the individual's safe return.
Who was the last person to see the missing individual? Where? Was the missing person with anyone? What was the missing person doing?
Jot down any known medical problems of the missing person, along with any medications taken daily.
Use Other Search Methods
1. Call the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) to report a missing person. For underage children, you can contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
2. Check with local hospitals, coroners and medical examiners. Ask whether there are any recent John or Jane Does. If so, get additional information, if possible.
3. Make official missing person posters. Hang your posters in prominent locations, like gas stations, grocery stores, post offices, banks, drug stores, a local library, churches, hospitals, homeless shelters, parks and hiking trails
4. Search the many missing person databases on line. These may help regardless of whether you're searching for your child, an elderly parent, a grandparent, or a disabled family member.
5. Get the media involved. Provide the media with the facts and photos of the missing person and get on the air.
6. Use every social networking site and media tool available, including bloggers, Facebook, and Twitter.
Source:http://www.wikihow.com/Find-a-Missing-Person
III. Watch the segment from the movie Abduction and discuss the questions:
1. Describe the scene.
2. How did the main character find out about his past?
3. What should he do now that he knows about it?
4. What do you think might have happened?
5. What would you do if you were in his shoes?
IV. Watch the segment from the movie The Tall Man and discuss the question.
1. What has been going on in that small town?
2. Who is the Tall Man?
3. Is this a legend or an imaginary story to make parents monitor their children more closely?
4. What is your personal explanation for the happening?
MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - ABDUCTION
MOVIE SEGMENT DOWNLOAD - THE TALL MAN
