FOR TAKING ACTION DURING THE FIRST FEW HOURS.
WHAT TO DO WHEN A PERSON GOES MISSING. A PRACTICAL GUIDE
THE FIRST FEW HOURS MATTER.
Vania Martínez 402849 Camila Baylón 407068 Esmeralda Torres 407082 Leonor Rodriguez 408959
CULTURA DIGITAL “CREATE AND DESIGN AN EBOOK FOR A MARKETING CAMPAIGN” M.E.S GABRIELA OCÓN
WHAT TO DO FIRST?
DON'T WAIT. ACT. When a person goes missing or their whereabouts are unknown, it is important to act immediately. You do not need to wait 24, 48, or 72 hours to seek help.
CONFIRM→ GATHER → REPORT Mexican legislation establishes that no protocol may set waiting periods for initiating an investigation.
THE FIRST 30 MINUTES
Confirm the situation. Try calling or sending a message.
Contact family and friends.
Ask when she was last seen. If there is an immediate danger, call 911.
Check if she had any known plans.
Don't let time slip through your fingers.
Identify any changes to
0 min
her routine.
30 min
Gather all the information. EVERY PIECE OF DATA CAN BE IMPORTANT, CREATE A CHECK LIST
☐ Full name ☐ Age ☐ Recent photograph ☐ Physical description ☐ Clothing worn ☐ Last place seen ☐ Approximate time ☐ Phone number ☐ Vehicle, if applicable ☐ Medical information relevant to the search ☐ People they might be with The CNB indicates that gathering information about the person and the circumstances of the disappearance is one of the first steps.
What happened? 08:00 Left home. ↓ 10:30 Last message. ↓ 12:00 Last call. ↓
CREATE A TIMELINE NOTE DOWN FACTS, NOT ASSUMPTIONS.
13:15 Last seen. ↓
This helps organize the
14:00
information that will
Discovered not to have
subsequently be provided
returned.
to the authorities.
Report the disappearance
THERE IS NO NEED TO WAIT. In Mexico, a report may be filed with:
Comisión Nacional de Búsqueda Comisión Local de Búsqueda Ministerio Público / Fiscalía
The General Law stipulates that any person may request a search by providing notice, filing a report, or lodging a formal complaint, and that the search must be conducted without delay.
The National Search Commission receives reports and has digital, telephone, and in-person mechanisms in place.
The first few hours matter When a person goes missing, time takes on a different meaning. Every minute can be filled with uncertainty, worry, and questions that often lack immediate answers. In those moments, it is easy to feel lost and unsure of where to begin. However, taking action is important. Filing a report, sharing information responsibly, preserving potential leads, and seeking help from the authorities are steps that can aid the search. This issue also reminds us that behind every disappearance, there is a person, a family, and a community hoping for a reunion. That is why empathy and solidarity are essential. It is not about having all the answers, but rather knowing that every responsible action can make a difference. The first few hours should not be endured in silence or isolation. Asking for help, acting quickly, and maintaining hope are also ways of searching.