One of the tools that a law enforcement officer uses today in a missing child case is an up-to-date photograph. Below you will see a list of tips for parents and/or other guardians regarding the photo.
- You should always carry an up to date, color photo of your child. You child’s face should be clearly seen. The back ground should be plain. This way the photo won’t distract from the subject.
- Because of today’s technology the photo should be in a digitize form and also available on CD. This will minimize extra effort in the Law Enforcement field to scan it, resize it and make color corrections.
- No other people, animals or objects should be in the photograph. The photo should not be taken outside, out of focus, torn, damaged or very small.
- The photograph should have space for accurate, narrative description useful to identify the child such as name, nickname, height, weight, sex, age, eye color, identifying marks, glasses, and braces.
- The photograph should be updated at least every six months for children 6 years of age or younger and then once a year there after.
- All copies of the child’s photograph and information should be maintained in an easily accessible, secure space by the parents or guardian. The photograph and data should not be stored in a public database.
