Law enforcement considers a long-term missing person as a person who has been reported missing to police, their whereabouts have been unknown for more than three months and there are concerns for their safety and welfare.
Family members of reported long-term missing persons can participate in the Australian Federal Police (AFP) National DNA Program for Unidentified and Missing Persons (DNA Program) by completing this online Missing Person Details Form.
Family members who have never reported their missing family member to police can also participate in the DNA Program by completing the online Missing Person Details Form, however please note that the relevant State and Territory police agency will need to firstly determine if the case circumstances meet the definition of a long-term missing person prior to investigating further. Police are not able to investigate family tracing matters.
The aim of the Missing Person Details Form is to collect relevant details about each long-term missing person that are essential for the police and forensic investigation, but may not have been collected or provided previously.
The forensic information, records and samples provided by families will be shared with relevant police investigators and forensic scientists, and may be submitted to relevant national databases, to assist the DNA Program’s efforts to scientifically link Australia’s unidentified and missing persons cases.
Following submission of the completed form, a member of the relevant State and Territory police agency will be in contact to discuss the case circumstances, information provided and collection of associated forensic records and samples, if the missing person is determined to be a long-term missing person.
The AFP is encouraging families of long-term missing persons to provide as much information as is known to them, any relevant items or records they have at home and reference DNA samples for comparison to the information the DNA Program is able to discover from the forensic examination and testing of the unidentified human remains.
The AFP’s handling (i.e. collection, use, disclosure, storage, access, retention and disposal) of personal (both genetic and non-genetic) information to assist in identifying deceased and missing persons is done in accordance with the requirements under the Commonwealth Privacy Act 1988. Detailed information about the AFP’s handling of genetic information can be found under DNA testing information. More information about the AFP’s handling of personal information (including how to seek access to records or make a complaint) can be found in the AFP’s Privacy Policy or you can contact the AFP’s Privacy Officer.
If you have any questions please contact the DNA Program.
