#1 When you're looking into the cases of unidentified persons, you will likely come across photos of the deceased. This is your warning. Proceed with caution.
#2 We are NOT law enforcement, we do NOT represent ourselves as such, and we do NOT try to do the job of law enforcement. We are here to assist in finding information that could help identify these unidentified persons.
#3 No contacting family of missing persons. Simple as that. That's someone else's job and, for all we know, a family member may be the reason that the person went missing in the first place. Stay in your lane.
#4 Those in law enforcement have far more than just the one case that you may be looking into. Whether you're contacting them to ask a question or to report a tip, keep in mind that their time is divided between all of their cases and that the wheels of law enforcement can move rather slowly sometimes. Be considerate, be respectful, be patient. If you call/email, wait at least a few weeks for a response before calling/emailing again.
#5 Be as thorough as possible in your searches without interfering/infringing/imposing, be as certain as possible before requesting a comparison or submitting a possible match, and be detailed yet concise in communications with authorities.
#6 Nothing about these searches is easy. If it were, there wouldn't be unidentified persons numbering in the thousands. There may be missing persons who simply left voluntarily and started a new life somewhere, there may be unidentified remains that match a person who wasn't ever reported missing, and there may be remains that have yet to be discovered. Don't get discouraged. It's okay to put a pin in it, so to speak. I take a "brain break" from a case when I feel like I'm getting nowhere, and come back to it later to try to approach it from a different angle.
#7 Consider all of the facts, don't make assumptions, and double check everything. Just because a Jane Doe and missing person look alike in sketches/photos, doesn't mean that they're a match. Look at height, weight, hair and eye colors, distinguishing characteristics, scars and tattoos, etc. It can also go the other way if there's a sketch/reconstruction of a Jane Doe that doesn't really match up with a photo of a missing person, but everything else fits, it could still be a possible match. Look at every. single. detail.
NamUs (National Missing & Unidentified Persons System)
NamUs is the largest database of missing and unidentified persons and, in my opinion, the most user-friendly in regards to searching by specific criteria. Some of the details may not be updated or complete, but it allows you to track cases which is a big plus. I strongly recommend making a free public user account so you'll have access to the "track case" function and can view the (often outdated or incomplete) list of exclusions.
The Doe Network (An International Center for Missing & Unidentified Persons)
The Doe Network is a resource that I am immensely thankful for. Not only do they cover more than just the United States, the site is easy to navigate when your search is more broad. They often have more detailed descriptions, links to various sources for that MP/UID, and more photos/sketches. I've found that a person may have 4 images on The Doe Network, but none on NamUs. They are, as far as I'm aware, the only site that includes the availability of DNA samples, dental records, and fingerprints for both missing and unidentified persons. Unidentified persons can be viewed in geographical or chronological order, and missing persons can be viewed in alphabetical, geographical or chronological order. The Doe Network has a "Submit a Match" options that is reviewed by their Potential Match Panel.
Charley - Named after Charles Brewster Ross (the first well-known case of child abduction in the United States that occurred in 1874. It's a heartbreaking story and, unfortunately, he was never found). The Charley Project isn't a complete list of missing persons, but they do have an impressive number of cases featured in their database. Like The Doe Network, Charley Project often has more details than are available on NamUs. The search features (basic and advanced) are easy to use, and cases can be viewed by alphabetical, chronological, or geographical order.
A community of those who are, generally speaking, interested in or dedicated to missing persons and unidentified persons cases. There is a wide variety of both cold cases and current cases, as well as an array of resources, tips, suggestions, and information. I suggest making an account and use it as a tool to share information, ask questions, gather new information, get opinions, and have many fresh sets of eyes when you need them the most. There is also a new podcast by the creator of Websleuths that is rather interesting and worth a listen! (It's called "Into the Case" and is available on many platforms). It is a pretty tightly run ship and they are serious about etiquette, rules and guidelines. Play nicely with others and follow the rules.
There are so many resources available and, often, all you have to do is visit Mr. Google for a little insight. Each state often has their own database of missing and unidentified persons (Like the Texas DPS Missing Persons Clearinghouse here), which may not be linked on The Doe Network or Charley Project. Sometimes family members of missing persons create websites or social media pages for their missing loved one, and a quick search of their name can lead you right to them.
The following are additional sites that may also be helpful: Black & Missing (Focused on bringing awareness to and advocating for missing persons of color) NCMEC (National Center for Missing & Exploited Children) ICMEC (International Center for Missing & Exploited Children) GMCN (Global Missing Children's Network) CUE (Community United Effort - In Support of Missing Persons) FBI Missing & Kidnapped Persons UNTCHI (University of North Texas Center for Human Identification) Family Search (A great free genealogy resource) Ancestry (Paid after trial ends, but worth it) Newspapers.com (Newspaper archives & branch of Ancestry)