ABSTRACT
These phases manifest in nearly every case that is not resolved immediately. They also may be inevitable because families view the investigator as the only person who can provide the information that will end their uncertainty, fear, and suffering. The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs), which attempts to introduce a victim-centered approach to MP/UD investigations, bridges the abyss between investigators and families by allowing families to act on their own behalf in terms of entering information into databases, searching it, publicizing it, and enlisting the help of other members of the public. NamUs was designed as a force multiplier for investigators and ME/C by facilitating the involvement of the public, (nongovernment organizations) NGOs, ME/C, and law enforcement, which includes clearinghouses. NGO support is critical as they can provide victim social services support that agencies, law enforcement, and ME/C cannot provide due to the lack of resources and skills. The four foundational key performance indicators of NamUs that drive its ability to function as a force multiplier to resolve MP/UD/UHR cases are (1) number of registered public users, (2) number of registered law enforcement personnel, (3) number of ME/C personnel, and (4) number of registered clearinghouse users. According to one account:
I first became involved with NamUs by joining its missing persons advisory group, which convened shortly after the summit in 2005.
