The following guidelines must be met before information on a missing or unidentified deceased/living person can be entered into the Texas Department of Public Safety Missing Persons Bulletin.

1. (1) Missing person (information on a Texas missing person or a person missing from another state but believed to be in Texas).

   1. (A) The parent, spouse, or guardian must contact a law enforcement agency and file a missing person report. The missing person must be entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) files by the law enforcement agency.
   2. (B) The prescribed form must be signed, completed, and returned to the Missing Persons Clearinghouse (MPCH). (Forms can be obtained from MPCH.)
   3. (C) A current, original photograph (preferably black and white) must be received by MPCH. (Note: do not write on back of photo.)
   4. (D) All entries to be published in the Missing Persons Bulletin must be submitted no later than the 10th of each month to appear in the next month's bulletin.
   5. (E) In cases of parental abductions, a copy of the court-certified custody order stating that the reporting parent has custody must be received by MPCH. (Note: if it is requested that the noncustodial parent's photograph be included in the bulletin, a copy of a court-certified active felony warrant, which is presently in Texas Crime Information Center (TCIC)/National Crime Information Center (NCIC), must be made available to MPCH prior to publication of the photograph.)
   6. (F) The parent, spouse, guardian, or investigating officer must notify MPCH immediately of the location or return of the missing person.

2. (2) Unidentified deceased/living person.

   1. (A) The unidentified deceased/living person must be entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) files by the law enforcement agency.
   2. (B) Submit as much pertinent information on the unidentified person as possible, such as a black and white photograph (if available), dental records, fingerprints, etc.
   3. (C) All entries to be published in the Missing Persons Bulletin must be submitted no later than the 10th of each month to appear in the next month's bulletin.
   4. (D) The law enforcement agency must notify MPCH immediately upon identification.

Source Note:The provisions of this §27.42 adopted to be effective March 27, 1987, 12 TexReg 829.