Assessing the Scope of Missing Indigenous Persons in Idaho

Abstract

Influenced by Indigenous grassroots efforts and the growing momentum of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons movements across the country, states have begun enacting legislation to recognize this issue and call for research on the scope of missing Indigenous persons. In response to one such call, we conducted an exploratory and descriptive study collecting (1) three point-in-time counts of missing persons in Idaho and (2) annual National Crime Information Center (NCIC) missing person entry data. Point-in-time count findings indicate that Indigenous persons are disproportionately represented among Idaho's missing persons, that most Indigenous missing persons are females, and about half are children (under 21). In comparing the publicly accessible missing persons lists, we find the state clearinghouse list is more comprehensive than the two national lists. Findings from the annual NCIC entry data demonstrate that a higher percentage of Idaho's entries are for Indigenous persons compared with the percentage nationwide. These findings are discussed in the context of relevant existing research, along with implications for policy.

Plain Language Summary Title

Determining the Extent of Missing Native American Persons in Idaho

Plain Language Summary

North American Indigenous peoples have been drawing attention to experiences of violence and experiences of relatives going missing. State governments have begun to pass legislation to acknowledge and better understand these experiences. A recent study based in Nebraska provided a roadmap for examining the scope of missing Native American Indigenous persons and called for future studies to do the same in other states. Our study responds to this call. We examine publicly available missing persons lists and find that Indigenous persons are missing disproportionately to their representation in the state population. We also find that most Indigenous missing persons are females, and about half are children (under 21). In comparing the publicly accessible missing persons lists, we find the state list is more comprehensive than the two national lists. Additionally, we examined Idaho annual National Crime Information Center missing person entry data and find similarities and differences between Idaho and nationwide data. We discuss what these findings mean for research and policy.