posted February 26, 2004 11:29 PM               

By - Audrey Perri

Special to amNewYork www.am-ny.com

2-17-04

The faces of missing people used to appear on milk car-tons for the country to see and hopefully, to help find.

Today, technology has taken over and the faces of missing, runaway and unidentified persons are scattered online, making it easy for anyone in the world to help solve cases.

According to Todd Matthews, media director for www.doenetwork.org, the media can be the best tool to help solve missing person cases, and can sometimes do more than police.

Matthews’ website is devoted to solving cases of unexplained disappearances and unidentified victims throughout North America, Australia and Europe.

Robyn Benley, director of communications at Child Find of America, said that for run-away cases there is only so much that police can do. But, she said their web site (www.childfindofamerica.org)and other sites might bring up new leads that police didn’t.

"People don’t see the benefit that a disabled person or stay-at-home mom can help solve cases," said Matthews.

"Anything that anyone can do is a great thing, it could save a life." By searching online, filing a report and description of the missing person and stating the case to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC), a family has taken a major step in the search for their loved one, according to Matthews.

"There are about 1,042 missing people (NCIC) in NYC as of the end of last year", Matthews said.