A new database called NamUs.gov has just been launched by the U.S. Department of Justice. Combining two databases of missing persons and unidentified dead cases into one, it will be open to both law enforcement and the public and searchable.
From the website:
“When fully operational, NamUs will link these databases to provide a powerful tool for families, law enforcement agencies, medical examiners and coroners, victim advocates, and the general public. It will allow searches for matches between missing persons and unidentified human remains records. NamUs also will provide central access to information from other Web sites, State clearinghouses, and other important resources.”
Sad, but this could evolve into an incredible resource. Some may watch TV and think something like this is already ubiquitous but it’s not, except for largely volunteer efforts as far as I can tell (but this is not an area I’ve researched extensively).
17 responses so far ↓
1 Maureen // Jul 8, 2009 at 1:43 am
We are discussing NamUs on Peace4 the Missing. http://peace4missing.ning.com/ come on over and see the families of the missing, the advocates, missing person organizations, etc., discuss this very topic.
***Tell everyone about NamUs, call your local police departments and medical examiners …. we have to get everyone on board to make this work. This is the greatest tool I’ve seen yet for the missing and unidentifieds. But it’s going to take word of mouth and people volunteering to enter data to keep NamUs going….the tool itself is not powerful as it’s the data that is powerful but if LE and ME’s aren’t entering the data this brilliant tool will not help locate the missing and find names for the unidentifieds….the data has to be entered and the tool utilized! NamUs needs all of us to help!
2 ardis wait renkoski // Jul 29, 2009 at 3:40 pm
I have just discovered this site. Have been working with MI legislature to draft a law to make this family DNA of missing people obligatory to CODIS for a couple of years,but to no avail. Have a daughter, Paige Renkoski, missing for 19 years, case recently reopened. Is this a state or federal law? I want to become involved. Have been a leader of POMC, Inc. for many years but want to be more politically active in making such changes. Thanks for any information. Ardis Renkoski
3 ardis wait renkoski // Jul 29, 2009 at 3:49 pm
As a mother of missing daughter, Paige Renkoski, I am extremely interested in volunterring in whatever way to make this happen. This is the best news I have heard in a long time. Last I heard, there were 50,000 unidentified remains in coroner’s offices with no means to enter the CODIS System. I have been encourageing parents of missing persons to have their police agency take their DNA and enter it into the system. Many agencies simply put it into state systems, not the national. This is great news.
4 Stacy Horn // Jul 30, 2009 at 11:05 am
I’m so sorry about your daughter. I don’t know a lot about this program. I would go to the website (http://www.namus.gov/) and look for the contact information and email them, and also go to the website Maureen lists above:
http://peace4missing.ning.com/
5 Sara Huizenga // Aug 6, 2009 at 1:19 pm
Ardis, we would love to have you join us at Peace4, you’re exactly the kind of network that makes a real difference! Awesome to read of your efforts and compassion!
I too live in Michigan as do other Peace4 members in the Missing Persons field. Todd Matthews of NamUs is also a member and I have forwarded on your volunteer info. request to him as well.
6 Sara Huizenga // Aug 6, 2009 at 1:21 pm
NamUs Missing Persons Profile for Paige
https://www.findthemissing.org/cases/835
7 Paula Cosey // Aug 12, 2009 at 2:07 am
My daughter has been missing since Dec. 28 2008 and i just recent enter her in NamUs. I was informed of the website by a friend who heard about it, so word is getting around about the website.
8 Dolores Morales // Dec 10, 2009 at 11:29 pm
I just recently found my self forced to retire because of a dissability caused by a “quack” I worked in the health care community all my life and now I have nothing to do if I can help in anyway please let me know..if there’s something I know is dr’s and their behaviours their egos and what makes them or breaks them, I would be happy to contribute in any way I can, I would love to be ablle to help people…I did that in the past and I don’t want to stop just cuz I am 57 and dissabled
9 Stacy Horn // Dec 11, 2009 at 5:44 pm
That’s very nice of you to offer. If anything comes up and you see an opportunity where you can help, please by all means speak up. And thank you. I’m sorry you were disabled.
10 Lois // Jan 13, 2010 at 2:51 pm
I have been looking for my 4o year son for 2 years now. I am hoping this will spread around the world to help others as well for me. Missing people how does this, how can this happen is our era. I miss my son very much, I will keep looking until ///////
11 Sara Huizenga // Jan 22, 2010 at 5:42 pm
As the Co-Founder of Peace4 the Missing, a network for many families of missing loved ones, I want to sincerely thank you for spreading additional awareness of NamUs.Gov, which so positively aides so many heavily anguished hearts who have been left with no answers.
Sara Huizenga
Co-Founder of Peace4 the Missing
http://peace4missing.ning.com
12 Stacy Horn // Jan 23, 2010 at 8:11 pm
Oh Sara, it’s the least I can do. It’s people like you who are doing amazing things to try to address this terrible problem.
13 robin // Feb 16, 2010 at 11:53 pm
i have been watching the forgotten. and i would like to know how i can help bring awareness to this issue.. robin
14 viola corbitt // Feb 17, 2010 at 12:10 am
my daughter Dymashal (DeeDee) Cullins missing August 28.2003 from Atlanta Ga I’m still waiting to hear something.
15 Stacy Horn // Feb 18, 2010 at 9:17 am
Viola, I’m so sorry about your daughter.
Robin, I would contact all the various groups that have formed, like the one listed two comments above the one you made:
Sara Huizenga
Co-Founder of Peace4 the Missing
http://peace4missing.ning.com
Or The Doe Network.
http://www.doenetwork.org/
16 Dorothy // Apr 13, 2010 at 6:00 pm
My family and I are looking for our brother, we have not heard from in two years. We need to get intouch with him , his mother is very sick. Last known address Benton, ark Thanks for any help given
17 june // May 11, 2010 at 1:00 am
i have a missing uncle vanish with out a trace since i was 13 , now am 40 ! and am still shock how a man so loved in my family, whats needed it is not there.its unforgiveable theres must be more attention given here , its like they tryed then gave up!!! really….red flag his a person and need to be found now after 20 yrs…come on!! i hope his out there and doing find , but its looks unlikely..gods knows ill search and continue until i find some closer ,i love my uncle and miss him so much,…
Leave a Comment