Washington State Patrol

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The Missing & Unidentified Persons Unit (MUPU) assists law enforcement agencies and parents in locating missing persons. The following services and resources are provided by the Washington State Patrol MUPU:

A toll-free, 24-hour number to report missing persons:

If you have reported a missing child and need assistance in locating the child, contact MUPU at 1-800-543-5678 or MUPU@wsp.wa.gov

Please Note - Local law enforcement must be notified before MUPU can become involved (see Help for Parents for more information).

Coordinating investigative resources:

MUPU coordinates investigative resources with state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies.

• Homeward Bound Program
• Missing Adults From Washington State - Photo Page
• Missing Children From Washington State - Photo Page
• National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

Database research and case analysis:

We gather, review, analyze, compare and share information with other state, national, and international law enforcement agencies, including:

• Coroners and Medical Examiners
• National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (see NCMEC)
• National Center for Missing Adults (see NCMA)
• National Crime Information Center (see NCIC)
• Washington Crime Information Center (WACIC)

DNA collection kits:

Family Reference Sample Collection Kits are available to law enforcement agencies upon request. The University of North Texas processes the samples free of charge to law enforcement. DNA samples must be collected by a law enforcement officer.

Identification information:

MUPU is a central repository for dental, DNA and human remains information regarding missing persons. The specialists are trained to analyze and interpret dental charting and radiographs. All dental information is submitted to the National Dental Imaging Repository (NDIR.) The NDIR is available to law enforcement, criminal justice employees, medical examiner, coroners and forensic dentist/anthropologists for comparison and with wanted and missing person records. Dr. Gary Bell, DDS, DABFO volunteers as advisor to the MUPU. He performs forensic odontology and codes all dental records with the assistance of forensic Odontologists throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Public education:

• The LOCATER system is used to electronically create and disseminate posters of missing persons.
• They participate in safety fairs across the state to educate the pubic on child safety.
• MUPU has numerous safety brochures regarding child safety, travel information, fingerprint cards and more. Requests can be made by calling 1-800-543-5678.

Child safety training:

MUPU provides training regarding child safety for law enforcement, service organizations, and the public.

Missing and Exploited Children Task Force

The only one of its kind in the United States, the Missing and Exploited Children Task Force (MECTF) was formed to assist law enforcement agencies, state agencies, and the proper custodial entity by conducting investigations related to crimes against children cases through referrals, on-site assistance, case management, and training.

The primary objectives for MECTF are the safe recovery and return of children, providing assistance to requesting law enforcement and state agencies, and providing a resource in investigative expertise.

• 2008 MECTF Annual Report

MUPU Contact Information

• Mailing Address

  • Washington State Patrol
    Missing and Unidentified Persons Unit
    PO Box 2347
    Olympia, WA 98507-2347

• Phone and E-mail

  • 24-Hour Toll Free: 1-800-543-5678
  • E-mail us at: MUPU@wsp.wa.gov

Please note that some of the documents provided on this page are available in Adobe® PDF format only and will require the Adobe® Reader in order to view or print them from your Web browser.

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MUPU Quick Links

• Help Page: What To Do
• Missing Persons FAQs
• Missing WA Adults
• Missing WA Children
• Missing & Exploited Children Task Force
• Prevention Checklist
• Prevention & Resources
• WA State Missing Person Advisory Plan