Without a Trace and the real FBI

[Crothian]

Now, I'm no expert so I'm just trying to understand a few things about the real FBI. I know TV does change things and I'm wondering if they have here.

From what I understand first a person has to be missing for 48 hours befoer can be reported missing. That is a number I got from TV, but lots of cops shows have used it. Now on the show people are reported missing fast like within 2 hours at times. I'm curious which is right or realistic.

The second thing that doesn't make sense is the FBI does federal crimes and missing people is rarely a federal crime. Even kidnapping doesn't becoem federal until state lines are crossed. Or so I understand it. Am I wrong there as well? Does the FBI have a missing persons beruea like in the show?

I'm just curious how realistic the set up to the show is and what the actual laws are on this stuff. THanks.

 

[Dagger75]

Well this is from the FBI.gov web site

If a child is missing and possibly kidnapped, but no interstate transportation is known, will the FBI begin an investigation?
Yes. The FBI will initiate a kidnapping investigation involving a missing child "of tender years" even though there is no known interstate aspect. “Tender years” is generally defined as a child twelve years or younger. The FBI will monitor other kidnapping situations when there is no evidence of interstate travel, and it offers assistance from various entities including the FBI Laboratory.

http://www.fbi.gov/aboutus/faqs/faqsone.htm

Also transporting a person across state lines is a Federal Offense I believe.

On the TV show most of the missing persons involve some sort of evidence of apparent violence. I think the law acts a little faster when they think something bad may have happened.

 

[Dark Jezter]

The FBI dosen't only handle kidnappings, but they are one of the things they are exceptionally good at handling. When a kidnapping occurs, the Federal Bureau of Investigation is capable of bringing tremendous resources to bear very quickly in search of the suspect. Many a kidnapper has wound up behind bars due to the fast and effective response of the FBI.

Have you ever noticed that you almost never hear about kidnapping for money nowadays? Over the last several decades, the FBI has all but eliminated that sort of crime in the United States because the kidnappers always get caught (usually when they try to pick up the money). Nowadays, most kidnappers are sexual predators, and the victims (usually children) are dead within hours of the kidnapping. Needless to say, the FBI has an institutional loathing of kidnapping, and your average FBI agent views it as a crime only slightly less repulsive than murder.