What to do when someone goes missing: Your comprehensive guide
It is hoped that no one ever experiences the situation of a loved one going missing. Unfortunately, it does happen, and when it does, it is crucial to act quickly and correctly. This guide will provide you with detailed steps and valuable tips on how to proceed when someone goes missing.
1. Keep calm
The first and most important step is to stay calm. Panic can cause you to make rash decisions or overlook important information. Take a moment to collect yourself, and then plan your next steps systematically.
2. Gather all the necessary information
No matter what exactly happened – be it that the person did not show up for the agreed meeting, does not answer their mobile phone or does not return home – you should act immediately in any atypical situation. The sooner the search begins, the more likely it is to find the missing person.
2.1 Collect the following information:
Appearance and physical description:
Height, weight, age
- hair colour, eye colour
- clothing at the time of disappearance
2.2 Personal belongings:
- glasses, handbag, jewellery, etc.
2.3 Distinguishing features:
- scars, tattoos, special identification marks
3. Contact the police
There is a widespread belief that you can only report a missing person to the police after three days. However, this is not correct. According to the law, there is no such waiting period. As soon as you are seriously concerned about someone, you should contact the police immediately. Especially with children and young people, the moment of disappearance is considered to be the most serious.
3.1 Important steps with the police:
File a missing persons report: Provide all the information you have gathered.
Provide contact information: Your phone number and email address.
Share mobile number and IMEI: This allows the person's last or current location to be determined.
Provide a recent photo: This facilitates identification.
Keep a copy of the missing persons report: Make a note of the name of the police officer for any follow-up questions.
4. Contact hospitals and coroners
There is a possibility that the missing person has had an accident or has otherwise been taken to hospital. Contact all local hospitals, emergency rooms and forensic institutes to make sure the person is not being treated there.
5. Place a missing person's report
Use suchen.expert to place an ad about the person's disappearance. Be sure to include the following information:
5.1 Name of the missing person
5.2 Place and date of loss: The exact place and time of the disappearance
5.3 Description: Detailed information about the appearance and distinguishing features
5.4 Photograph: A recent picture of the missing person
5.5 Contact information: Their phone number and email address
6. Regularly check suchen.expert
Visit and regularly check suchen.expert to ensure that no new listings have been posted regarding the missing person. Often, tips or found persons are reported directly via such platforms.
7. Reach as many people as possible
To increase the chances of quickly finding the missing person, you should take the following measures:
Post posters: Create posters with a photo and description and post them in high-traffic locations.
Inform local media: Contact newspapers, radio stations and TV stations to report on the missing person.
Use social media: Share your ad in Facebook groups, on Instagram, Twitter and local forums. Ask friends and family to share the posts to achieve greater reach.
8. Further measures and points of contact
Contact friends and relatives: Find out whether the missing person may have gone to stay with friends, relatives or acquaintances.
Create a list of possible whereabouts: Note down places where the person could be staying.
Obtain contact details for the missing person: Phone numbers and addresses of important people who can help with the search.
Ask the neighbourhood: Ask neighbours if they have seen the missing person or can provide any information.
9. Preventive measures to avoid future cases
To avoid future incidents, follow these tips:
Keep personal information secure: Do not carry unnecessary identification or valuable items with you.
Regular contact: Keep in regular contact with friends and family, especially if someone is prone to getting lost.
Use of tracking technologies: Consider using GPS trackers or smartwatches that can monitor the person's location in real time.
Set emergency contacts: Make sure that important people know how to reach you in an emergency.
10. Conclusion
A person's disappearance is an extremely stressful and emotional situation. By taking a systematic and rapid approach and using platforms such as suchen.expert, you increase the chances of quickly and safely recovering the missing person. Remain calm, act thoughtfully and use all available resources, including the support of the police, lost property offices and your community.
For more information and support, visit suchen.expert or contact local authorities and organisations directly.
The information displayed comes from publicly available sources and was last updated on 20.12.24. All retrievable content and explanations are non-binding and do not constitute legal advice. The suchen.expert platform does not guarantee and is not liable for the accuracy or completeness of the published information.
