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Private Investigator Reveals How Many People Go Missing Per Year

Our team of private investigators are former federal agents with the FBI, DEA, IRS, or Secret Service.

Every year, tens of thousands of people are reported missing, highlighting a critical issue that affects communities worldwide. While some individuals are found quickly, others remain missing for years, emphasizing the importance of understanding the reasons behind disappearances, the societal impact, and preventative measures. Private investigators play a crucial role in locating missing persons through specialized training, experience, and resources such as databases and surveillance. Private investigators, like Martin Investigative Services, offer expertise and support to families, dedicating time and resources to conduct thorough investigations. The longer a person is missing, the more important it is to seek expert help from a PI.

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Thomas Martin click here for complete bio

Former federal agent. Professional private investigator.

Thomas G. Martin is a highly decorated former BNDD/DEA agent with the US Department of Justice and president of the country’s leading PI agency, Martin Investigative Services. He has been involved in numerous criminal cases that garnered national attention, including many unsolved crimes and cold cases.

Today Martin oversees 22 investigators, many former Federal agents from the DEA, FBI, IRS, and Secret Service.

He and his network of agents provide unparalleled private and corporate investigation services, bug sweeps, background checks, fraud investigations, missing persons, and surveillance.

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Private Investigator Reveals How many People Go Missing Per Year

Every year, tens of thousands of people are reported missing. Of these, some are found in hours, in days, in months, even in years. Some of them are never found.

In this guide, we will explore the various reasons behind missing persons, the impact of this issue on society, and what can be done to prevent such occurrences.

What Does "Missing" Mean?

To be missing, a person must have disappeared under suspicious circumstances and their whereabouts cannot be determined. This includes people who have gone missing due to abduction, kidnapping, human trafficking, and other forms of foul play. It also includes individuals who have disappeared voluntarily or involuntarily due to mental health issues, drug or alcohol addiction, and other personal reasons.

Being "missing" is a state of uncertainty for both the individual and their loved ones. It creates immense emotional distress and can lead to long-term psychological issues for those involved.

Research shows that police data is likely to be an underestimate of the true number of missing persons. This is because not all missing persons are reported to the police, and even when they are, some may not be logged into official databases. Furthermore, there is no globally standardized definition of what constitutes a "missing person," making it difficult to accurately track this issue.

What Happens To Missing Persons Not Found Within 72 Hours?

According to researchers cited by the FBI, about 70 percent of all reported missing persons are found or voluntarily return within 48 to 72 hours; the remaining 30% face increasingly uncertain outcomes as time passes.

The Declining Window

In the United States, according to a GAO report for fiscal year 2015, approximately 87 percent of missing‑persons cases were resolved within 30 days.

This means about 13  percent—over 84,000 cases in that year—remained open past the 30‑day mark.

Mortality Risks by Case Type

Child Abduction Cases: In 76 percent of missing children homicide cases studied, the child was dead within three hours of the abduction—and in 88.5 percent of the cases the child was dead within 24 hours Washington State Attorney General. However, true stranger abductions are extremely rare, averaging only 12 per year FBI.

Adults and Other Cases: As per the National Institute of Justice, about 4,400 unidentified human decedents are reported annually, 1,000 of whom remain unidentified after one year. For dementia-related cases, mortality rates show high variability between 0.7% and 32% depending on response time.

Recovery Methods

Most recoveries occur through voluntary return, but extended cases require specialized approaches. Since being a missing person is not a crime, police are given a very limited role in adult cases, making private investigators critical for long-term searches. Our recommended timeline: engage professional help by day 7, with day 30 marking a critical intervention point for non-voluntary disappearances.

The Global Scale of Missing Persons: What Statistics Show

The true scale of missing persons worldwide is difficult to determine due to inconsistent data collection and reporting procedures. Here’s an in-depth look at World Population Review’s statistics on missing persons globally:

India: An alarming number of people go missing, with statistics indicating that 88 individuals go missing every hour, totaling 2,130 people daily and approximately 64,851 monthly. States like West Bengal, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Rajasthan report the highest numbers.

United Kingdom: Sees around 180,000 people going missing annually. However, this figure is likely an underestimation, as 353,000 files of missing persons are opened each year. Notably, 80% of these missing children are found within 24 hours.

Mexico: Has reported more than 100,000 people missing over two years (2020-2022), many of whom are victims of violence related to organized crime. The actual number is likely much higher, as many abductions go unreported due to fear of repercussions.

Australia: The Australian Federal Police reported that in 2020-2021, there were more than 43,000 reports of missing persons. Of these, over 6,600 were classified as long-term missing persons who have been missing for more than three months.

Nigeria: A kidnapping hotspot in West Africa, recorded 3,000 missing people in the first half of 2021 and 571 kidnappings in January 2022 alone. The causes are diverse, including ransom demands, funding militant activities, and organ harvesting operations.

Ukraine: Tens of thousands of people are considered missing following the Russian invasion, adding to those already missing since the beginning of Russian aggression in 2014.

Syria: Amid its prolonged civil war, has experienced one of the highest numbers of missing persons, with around 100,000 people reported missing as of 2019 due to the conflict.

These statistics only scratch the surface of the global issue of missing persons. The numbers are likely much higher, as many cases go unreported or unresolved.

Statistics of Missing Persons by US States

When most Americans consider mass disasters, events like the 9/11 attacks, Hurricane Katrina, or the Southeast Asian tsunami often come to mind. However, a less recognized but equally significant crisis is the staggering number of missing persons and unidentified human remains in the United States. This situation is described by experts as a "mass disaster over time."

The statistics are alarming. According to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons (NamUS) database, over 600,000 people go missing every year. There are approximately 4,400 unidentified bodies recovered each year, with approximately 1,000 of those bodies remaining unidentified after one year.

In the United States, the number of missing persons varies significantly across different states:

California has the highest total number of missing persons, with 3,010 cases. However, when considering its large population, the rate is about average, at 7.61 missing persons per 100,000 people.
Alaska has a much higher rate of missing persons compared to other states, with 163.76 missing per 100,000 people.
Massachusetts has the lowest rate of missing persons, at 2.32 per 100,000.
Several states have low rates of missing persons, below 3.5 per 100,000. These include Rhode Island, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Maryland, Minnesota, South Dakota, Ohio, Virginia, and New Hampshire.
Rhode Island has the smallest total number of missing persons, with only 29 cases. Other states with less than 100 missing persons include South Dakota, North Dakota, Delaware, New Hampshire, Wyoming, Vermont, the District of Columbia, and Nebraska.

These statistics show a wide variation in the rates and numbers of missing persons across the U.S., influenced by factors like population size and local conditions.

How Many of The Missing Are Found?

On average, around 2,300 people are reported missing daily in the United States. The vast majority of these individuals are found within a short period; however, some cases remain unsolved for years.

According to the FBI, about 70% of all reported missing persons are found or voluntarily returned within 48 to 72 hours. This indicates a significant efficiency in resolving such cases, with many individuals reappearing or being located within a short period after being reported missing. It's important to note that not all missing persons cases involve criminal circumstances like kidnapping or murder. Each case represents someone's concern for a person who has disappeared, regardless of the reason behind their absence.

Factors That Contribute to Missing People

Several factors contribute to the widespread issue of missing persons around the world, including:

Conflict and Violence: In conflict and post-conflict situations, the chaos and destruction caused by war can lead to mass displacement and large numbers of missing persons. For example, in Colombia, there have been more than 120,000 people reported missing since the 1980s.

Conflict, Abuse and Neglect at Home: Children and adults can go missing for various reasons such as family conflicts, abuse, and neglect. Children are especially vulnerable and can be lured or forced into exploitative situations, including trafficking.

Human Trafficking: Human trafficking is a significant factor. According to the International Labor Organization, there are an estimated 28 million people trapped in modern-day slavery, with many of them being victims of human trafficking.

Natural Disasters: Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and tsunamis, can also result in large numbers of missing persons due to widespread displacement and separation of families.

Mental Health Issues: People with conditions such as dementia, schizophrenia, or bipolar disorder may wander away from home and become disoriented, leading to their disappearance.

Poverty and Homelessness: People living in poverty or without stable housing are at a higher risk of going missing due to a lack of a fixed address, social support networks, and access to communication tools.

Vulnerable Groups: Certain groups are more vulnerable to going missing than others, including children, individuals with disabilities, and the elderly. These groups may not have the means to seek help or be able to communicate their whereabouts effectively.

Bridging the Gap

To address the ongoing issue often referred to as a "mass disaster over time," the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has implemented a comprehensive plan to enhance the use of forensic DNA in crime solving.

The strategy is multi-pronged and focuses on several key areas:

Training and Education: The NIJ provides specialized training for medical examiners, law enforcement officials, and families of victims on the handling of forensic DNA evidence.

Access to Forensic Resources: The NIJ is offering free testing of unidentified remains and family reference samples to increase the likelihood of identification.

Legislative Support and Guidelines: The NIJ is advocating for model legislation that would require the collection of DNA samples before the disposal of unidentified remains.

Distribution of DNA Kits: The NIJ is making DNA reference sample collection kits available at no cost to jurisdictions nationwide.

Utilization of Federal Databases: The plan encourages increased use of federal databases in missing persons investigations, including the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), the Combined DNA Index System for Missing Persons (CODIS(mp)), the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS), and the Violent Criminal Apprehension Program (ViCAP).

This comprehensive approach aims to significantly improve the ability of state and local jurisdictions to solve these challenging cases.

What Can You Do If Someone You Know Goes Missing?

If someone you know goes missing, it is essential to act quickly and efficiently. Here are some steps you can take:

Contact Law Enforcement: Immediately report the disappearance to your local law enforcement agency. Provide as much information as possible, including physical description, last known location, and any relevant details.
Search Surrounding Areas: If you have a good idea of where the person may have gone, you can start searching in that area. Ask friends and family to help with the search.
Reach Out to Social Media: Share information about the missing person on your social media accounts and ask others to do the same.
Contact Missing Persons Organizations: Reach out to organizations that specialize in helping find missing persons for guidance and support.

Locate Your Loved Ones With a Private Investigator

If traditional methods have been exhausted, consider hiring a private investigator. Private investigators have specialized training and access to resources that can help them locate individuals who may not want to be found.

Here are some reasons to consider hiring a private investigator:

Specialized Training: They are trained in locating missing persons using databases, surveillance, and interviewing methods.
Experience: They have experience working on the nuances and challenges of these investigations.
Access to Resources: They have access to resources that may not be available to the general public, such as background checks and specialized databases.
Objectivity: They can bring an objective perspective to the search.
Collaboration with Law Enforcement: They often have established relationships with law enforcement officials and can work together to share information.

Choose Martin Investigative Services for Your Missing Persons Case

At Martin Investigative Services, we understand the urgency and sensitivity of missing persons cases. With over 40 years of experience in law enforcement and private investigation, our team has the skills and resources necessary to locate your loved one quickly and safely. We have the highest success rate in the industry and a track record of bringing missing persons home.

Our team has compiled the largest database of public information in the United States, making it easier to locate individuals who may be difficult to find. We also have partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, providing us access to additional resources and information.

Don’t let your missing person case end up at the bottom of a law enforcement pile. Call us at 800-577-1080 or visit our website to learn more about how we can help you bring your loved one home.

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