The Important Truth About Filing Missing Person Reports In Minnesota

While I watch all kinds of movies, I always love a great, suspenseful drama. Over the weekend, I was watching a movie that involved a woman who went missing and when the distraught family reached out to the police, they were not treated with any sense of urgency.

The police asked if she was upset and left on her own and if they had checked with her friends. Then they added that if she's still missing after 24 hours, a police missing person report could then be filed at that time.

This wasn't the first time I'd seen a movie or television show where authorities brought up some type of mandatory waiting period before filing a missing person report and it got me wondering if there is such a thing and how excruciating it would be for the persons loved ones to just wait it out before getting help from the police.

Is There A Waiting Period You Can File A Missing Person Report In Minnesota?

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety says the movie scenario that I described is a well-known narrative, but it's also a dangerous myth. They stress that there is no waiting period before filing a missing person report and police are required by law to take it and immediately investigate to determine if the person is missing and endangered.

This is true in all states, but in Minnesota, lawmakers enacted Brandon’s Law in 2009, which requires law enforcement to take a missing person’s report without delay and begin the investigation when someone of any age goes missing.

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The law is named after Brandon Swanson, whose car got stuck in a ditch in southwest Minnesota. As his parents were on their way to help, their cellphone connection was lost and Brandon hasn’t been seen or heard from since.

They add that can and should file a police report right away when a loved one is missing because every hour is critical in a missing person’s investigation, especially the first 48 to 72 hours after they've disappeared.

What To Do If A Loved One Goes Missing In Minnesota

According to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, taking the following steps is crucial should you have a loved one go missing:

1.  You can and should file a police report right away when a loved one is missing because every hour is critical in a missing person’s investigation, especially the first 48 to 72 hours after they've disappeared.
2. Next, gather general identifying information about the person. Helpful information for investigators can include: A clear description of the person, including what they were wearing when last seen, a recent color photo or video, and phone numbers of any cell phones they might have.
3. The third step is to gather additional evidence for a more in-depth investigation. This can include: Computers or devices used by the missing person, anything that could contain a DNA sample, such as a toothbrush or hairbrush, and medical and dental records.
4. Lastly, stay in touch with local investigators and update them with any new information as it becomes available.

More detailed information is available on the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension's website.

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