Roles and Activities of Missing Person Clearinghouse

Maintain Database

The clearinghouse maintains a database of all Idaho missing persons. Statistics on missing persons in Idaho are provided upon request.

Verifies NCIC Entry

BCI staff verify the entry of Idaho missing persons into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) computer system by local law enforcement agencies. Clearinghouse staff also recommends that families of missing childern contact the National Center for Missing and Exploited Childern to file a report.

Operates Toll-Free Hot-line

The hot-line provides nationwide access. BCI staff members answer the hot-line during normal business hours. After hours, weekends and holidays a message system answers calls. immediately.
The hot-line was primarly established for supplemental reports and for reporting sightings of missing persons. However, calls range from requests for informational materials such as child fingerprint ID cards, to information about actual missing persons and details regarding the recovery. Information on leads or sightings is forwarded to the appropriate law enforcement agency for investigation.

State Link to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)

The clearinghouse networks with NCMEC, the 49 other state clearinghouses, Canada and telephone, and fax. This relationship ensures support between agencies when missing person reports lead investigations from one state or country to another. The relationship also insures that information from leads and sightings is sent to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Maintain Web Site

The clearinghouse is responsible for the information contained on this site about those missing and resources available. Idaho was one of the first states to develop a site for this purpose.

Create Flyers

Upon request from law enforcement agencies or families, Idaho missing persons clearinghouse staff creates flyers regarding specific cases. The clearinghouse publishes and distributes a quarterly bulletin which contains information about those missing in the state and other relevant information. Copies of the flyers are distributed to local law enforcement agencies within the state and to the missing persons clearinghouse counterparts in other states.

Maintain Material

The clearinghouse maintains a variety of information for both law enforcement and the public. Information from the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and National Center for Missing and Exploited Children is available for all law enforcement agencies in the state. The clearinghouse retains a supply of brochures obtained from the NCMEC or put together by clearinghouse staff.
These are available upon request to interested parties. A copy of the Kids and Company child safety curriculum for grades K-6 has been aquired from the NCMEC. This curriculum is available for distribution or loan to interested schools and law enforcement agencies.

Supply Fingerprint Cards

The clearinghouse also provides to the public child fingerprint ID cards. These are used to record the fingerprints and other important information about children and are given to the parents to keep in a safe place. These cards have been used to fingerprint children at local civic activities and have been featured in the department's booth at the Western Idaho State Fair.