What circumstances allow a missing person to be categorized as ENDANGERED in NCIC?

A missing person can be categorized as ENDANGERED in NCIC when there are indications that their physical safety is in danger. This classification is utilized mainly in situations where there is a reasonable belief that the missing individual may be at risk for harm, whether due to a threat from another person, their own actions, or other dangerous circumstances.

This assessment is critical in ensuring that law enforcement prioritizes certain cases when responding to reports of missing persons, especially when potential risks to safety exist. Factors that might lead to this classification include evidence of foul play, the individual’s mental health status, or surrounding circumstances that suggest a high likelihood of danger.

While factors such as the duration of a person's disappearance or the age of the individual might contribute to general concerns about their whereabouts, it is the presence of immediate threats to their physical well-being that warrants the ENDANGERED designation. Thus, this classification focuses on the urgency and severity of the situation rather than merely the duration of the missing status or the specific characteristics of the person involved.