Missing and Unidentified Persons

OCME assists in the identification of unidentified persons and finding missing persons. Family reference samples and samples from the missing person are critical to this work.

**OCME does not take Missing Persons reports.** For assistance or to report Missing Persons cases within the five boroughs of New York City, please contact or visit the nearest New York City Police Department (NYPD) precinct, or call the NYPD Missing Persons Unit at 212-694-7782 to file a Missing Persons Report.

More than 13,000 people were reported missing in New York City last year. While most are promptly found, hundreds of people become missing long term (missing for 60 or more days.) Nationwide, there are more than 87,000 active missing persons cases, while there are tens of thousands of unidentified persons for whom little to no information is entered into national databases.

New York City has been conducting a comprehensive review of all the unidentified persons in its custody using new advances in technology, but new technology can only go so far. Identifications cannot be made unless adequate information about missing persons is available for comparison.

Information about unidentified persons in New York City is posted to NamUs.

New York City Missing Persons Day

OCME hosts NYC Missing Persons Day to make advanced forensic science services and emotional support available to all families and friends of long-term missing persons. These events connect participants with free and confidential resources to help identify and find loved ones missing for 60 or more days.

Since 2014, NYC Missing Persons Day has assisted hundreds of families and made more than 30 identifications of long-term missing persons from the New York City metropolitan area and beyond. Anyone seeking help to find a long-term missing loved one may call OCME at 212-323-1201 for assistance. Providing information is voluntary and used only for the purpose of making identifications.