Missing Person and Vulnerable or Impaired Person (VIP)

Keep in mind that not every person, whose whereabouts are unknown, can be entered into the Law Enforcement databases. An individual who does not want contact with family / friends etc. has a right not to be contacted or speak to others that may be seeking them.

In most instances, the person making the report will also need to provide a written statement regarding how the categories below apply to the person they are concerned about.

Following are rules for entry of each category of missing person:

1. Disability 
   A person of any age who is missing and is under a proven physical or mental disability, or is senile, thereby subjecting himself or others to personal and immediate danger. This category includes Mental Health Escapees who are involuntarily committed and missing persons diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease or related dementia (senility).
2. Disaster Victim 
   A person of any age, missing as the result of a disaster, which is defined as "any natural or intentionally man-made catastrophe or an extraordinary accident which causes hurricanes, tornados, train wrecks, mass suicides-murders, etc.". No specific number of victims is required to qualify for entry into the Disaster (Catastrophe) Victim Category.
3. Endangered
   A person of any age who is missing under circumstances indicating that their physical safety may be in danger.
4. Involuntary
   A person of any age who is missing under circumstances indicating that the disappearance was not voluntary. In August 1984 NCIC initiated an automatic notification of involuntary missing record entries to the FBI Criminal Investigative Division (CID), in Washington, D.C. The FBI CID will then conduct a preliminary inquiry on the matter to verify possible kidnap victims.
5. Juvenile Runaway
   A person who is unemancipated, as defined by the laws of his/her state of residence, and who does not meet any of the criteria set forth above under Disability, Endangered, Disaster, or Involuntary. Michigan's age of emancipation for juvenile runaways is 17, as defined by MCL 28.258.
6. Other
   This category is reserved for missing persons who do not fit under any of the above categories. At this time, the only permitted use of this category is entry for missing persons under the age of 21, who do not fit in any of the above categories, per Suzanne's Law.