Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a missing person, in particular, a missing child, includes utilizing a CD or other electronic storage medium to store unique identifying indicia of the person, portions of which are encrypted to protect sensitive information and to make it accessible only to authorities having been given a decryption key in advance. The CD or other storage medium is held by the legal guardian of the person, i.e. child, and given to authorities only if the child goes missing. Sensitive personal information is never centrally stored in a database. A kit, including the CD, may also include a conventional photo ID card of the child and, optionally, a booklet of instructions to the parent or other legal guardian.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a missing person, in particular, a missing child, includes utilizing a CD or other electronic storage medium to store unique identifying indicia of the person, portions of which are encrypted to protect sensitive information and to make it accessible only to authorities having been given a decryption key in advance. The CD or other storage medium is held by the legal guardian of the person, i.e. child, and given to authorities only if the child goes missing. Sensitive personal information is never centrally stored in a database. A kit, including the CD, may also include a conventional photo ID card of the child and, optionally, a booklet of instructions to the parent or other legal guardian.