Child Safety Identification

In today's society, DNA technology is so overwhelmingly consumer friendly and present in the media, one would think that DNA would be collected immediately at the notice or mention of a missing person. According to statistics, every 26 seconds another child becomes lost or missing. Did you know that nearly 2,000,000 American children are kidnapped, lost, missing or run away every year? However, in many states it is not law, or common practice for local authorities to collect DNA samples from the home, family membersor personal possessions of a reported missing child or loved one until well into the event.  In fact, it was only less than one year ago that the State of New Jersey enacted Patricia's Law which allows for the collection of a reference DNA sample, 30 days after a reported missing child or loved one, if the missing person is not considered high risk. Many parents and legal guardians, living in the bucolic towns of New Jersey, have the "not in my town" ideology. The routine "fingerprint and photograph day" at the local "stranger danger" seminars are considered to be enough when it comes to protecting children.   Why not take advantage of the newest technology DNA Typing to protect children and track/trace them in the nightmarish event of abduction or loss. Baby boomers live in a sandwich generation, where we are taking care of children as well as our senior adults parents.  DNA Typing of an individual provides comfort knowing that if that person becomes lost or missing, you have a DNA profile available to provide to the local authorities (rather than waiting for them) to assist in their search for your missing child or loved one.

The key points of "Patricia's Law" are as follows:

A law enforcement agency shall accept without delay any report of a missing person and cannot refuse to accept such reports for any reason.

Provides a detailed breakout of the specific information to be gathered and recorded by law enforcement about the missing person.

After 30 days missing, ensures that a DNA reference sample is secured from the family of the missing person and forwarded to the appropriate agency for analysis and ultimately entry into CODIS (mp) , the Combined DNA Index System for Missing Persons, to check for a match. Once the DNA profile is available, the missing persons record in the National Crime Information System (NCIC), will be updated to reflect that DNA is available.

Improves the system of communication between law enforcement and the person making the report, a family member, or any other person in a position to assist law enforcement in locating the missing person, including informing the person filing the missing persons report of the existence of two clearing houses for missing person's information.  If the person reported missing is age 17 or under, the person filing the report shall be provided with contact information for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. If the person reported missing is age 18 or older, the person filing the report shall be provided with contact information for the National Center for Missing Adults.

Law enforcement shall immediately determine if the missing person is deemed "high-risk" and will take immediate action. The NJ State Police Missing Persons Unit resources will be available as needed.

The Attorney General will provide information to local law enforcement concerning best practices and protocols for handling death scene investigations.

Improve procedures for handling human remains and communication with the family.

In the Northeast, we are all familiar with the; events of 911. DNA was used to help identify the victims who were lost in the attack. "DNA was used when other technologies, such as the use of fingerprints, surgical scars and dental records could not be employed. DNA helped bring closure to countless families who suffered the loss of loved ones and might not have otherwise been able to find the closure they so desperately needed." (Source: Sara Kugler, DNA Identifies Trade Center Victims, October 24, 2001 (Associated Press)

Complete latest version of Patricia Law

SENATE, No.2255
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
212th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED OCTOBER 16, 2006
Sponsored by:
Senator LORETTA WEINBERG
District 37 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
"Patricia's Law;" model Missing Persons Legislation.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As reported by the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee on June
18, 2007, with amendments.
S2255 [2R] WEINBERG