Fresh Hope for Those Lost
Newsweek Europe|February 23, 2024
New technologies are being used to revolutionize the hunt for America’s missing persons
VALERIE BAUMAN
Fresh Hope for Those Lost

WHEN 6-YEAR-OLD ADAM WALSH WENT MISSING from a mall in Hollywood, Florida, in 1981, local police didn't immediately start a search, the National Crime Information Center didn't track missing children and it took the FBI seven days before they showed up to tell the boy's parents that the agency wasn't "in the kid business." "No one helped us in 1981, when Adam was kidnapped," his father, John Walsh, told Newsweek. "The little Hollywood, Florida, police had no idea what they were doing...They didn't search for Adam that night. I was so worried when it got dark." Walsh ended up designing his own missing persons flyer and took up residence at the local police department as he launched his own search effort for his son. But it was too late. Adam Walsh's severed head was found two weeks after he disappeared, in a drainage canal in Indian River County, Florida.

The search for America's missing has evolved since then-and changes in technology, law enforcement approaches and involvement of civilian investigators are making a difference. Yet, as the United States marked National Missing Persons Day on February 3, the challenge remains enormous. Each year, more than 600,000 people are reported missing in America, according to the Department of Justice's National Missing and Unidentified Persons (NamUs) database.

"With the changes that we're seeing today, the needle has moved," said John Bischoff, vice president of the missing children division at the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

"It has moved certainly in a positive direction in terms of the speed in which we're able to engage with the public, the speed at which we're able to pull in lead information... And we're seeing faster turnarounds in how quickly we are able to find missing children and get that information to law enforcement. Get that child back to a safe place." he told Newsweek.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 23, 2024 من Newsweek Europe.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة February 23, 2024 من Newsweek Europe.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

المزيد من القصص من NEWSWEEK EUROPE مشاهدة الكل
The Next Phase of War
Newsweek Europe

The Next Phase of War

After thousands of elite soldiers from North Korea joined Vladimir Putin’s forces against Ukraine, how has this latest move affected the conflict?

time-read
6 mins  |
November 29, 2024
Hey, Don't Be So SAD
Newsweek Europe

Hey, Don't Be So SAD

Seasonal affective disorder affects millions of people. Here’s how you can prep your body and mind for darker days

time-read
5 mins  |
November 29, 2024
America's Best CONTINUING CARE
Newsweek Europe

America's Best CONTINUING CARE

EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, RESTAURANTstyle dining, unlimited pickleball-an impressive number of amenities are becoming standard at Continuing Care Retirement Communities.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 29, 2024
NEW WORLD ORDER
Newsweek Europe

NEW WORLD ORDER

HOW LEADERS ACROSS THE GLOBE ARE REACTING TO DONALD TRUMP'S REELECTION AS U.S. PRESIDENT

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 29, 2024
My Fight for Equality and Justice
Newsweek Europe

My Fight for Equality and Justice

It will take more than just science to end AIDS. Inclusion, empathy and compassion are essential, too

time-read
3 mins  |
November 29, 2024
Saying No to Trump and Men
Newsweek Europe

Saying No to Trump and Men

The election has led some women to boycott relationships and sex

time-read
7 mins  |
November 29, 2024
Wendi McLendon-Covey
Newsweek Europe

Wendi McLendon-Covey

AFTER 10 YEARS OF PLAYING BEVERLY GOLDBERG ON THE GOLDBERGS, Wendi McLendon-Covey was not eager for a break. \"I need to go do a job where I can just throw everything at it and then come home totally exhausted.\"

time-read
1 min  |
November 22, 2024
'I'm the Highest Earner in Esports'
Newsweek Europe

'I'm the Highest Earner in Esports'

Johan \"NOtail\" Sundstein has won over $7 million but says, \"I don't really crave that status...I play for my own reasons\"

time-read
6 mins  |
November 22, 2024
AMERICA'S BEST Weight Loss CLINICS & CENTERS 2025
Newsweek Europe

AMERICA'S BEST Weight Loss CLINICS & CENTERS 2025

WHETHER IT'S FOR MEAL PLANS, PROFESSIONAL guidance or access to medications like GLP-1s, weight loss clinics can offer personalized assistance for those hoping to make sustainable lifestyle changes.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 22, 2024
AMERICA'S MOST ANTICIPATED NEW VEHICALS - 2025
Newsweek Europe

AMERICA'S MOST ANTICIPATED NEW VEHICALS - 2025

WHETHER IT'S A NEWLY IMAGined sport utility vehicle or the re-emergence of a highly regarded halo car, the vehicles coming to market in 2025 prove that Americans' attitudes about personal transportation are diverse and are being served from all angles.

time-read
10+ mins  |
November 22, 2024