The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children estimates that, on average, more than 2,000 children are reported missing every day across the nation. The problem of missing children is complex and multifaceted. There are different types of missing children including: family abductions; endangered runaways; non-family abductions; and lost, injured, or otherwise missing children. This complex and serious problem requires innovative solutions.

There are over 30 agencies in the United States and Canada working together to provide victim assistance and education. These agencies are increasingly turning to technology to help them in their efforts. From fingerprinting to digital photographs to the creation of a national clearinghouse, more options are now available to assist in the location of missing children.

In an effort to improve it's capabilities to identify and locate missing children, the Nation's Missing Children Organization (NMCO) has formed a unique alliance with The Child Project, LLC to create and implement The Child Project™. The Children's Identification and Location Database is a nationwide network and registry, utilizing iris recognition biometric technology provided and supported by The Child Project™, to quickly and positively identify missing children.

Iris recognition is based on the most mathematically unique biometric - the iris of the eye. The human iris is absolutely unique, even between twins or an individual's right and left eyes. The iris itself is stable throughout a person's life (approximately from the age of one). The physical characteristics of the iris do not change with age. Iris recognition biometric technology positively determines the identity of an individual by capturing a high-resolution digital photograph of the individual's iris. The unique features contained in the iris are compared against a database and the identity of the individual determined. The technology is non-intrusive - the individual does not need to touch anything to use the system. Iris recognition technology does not use lasers, strong lights or any kind of harmful beams. As a result, it is the safest and easiest method to capture a unique biometric feature.

The Child Project™ will establish the national database by providing easy-to-use iris recognition cameras to law enforcement and social service agencies throughout the country. The units will have 7/24 web-based access to the main database located at NMCO's headquarters in Phoenix, Arizona through a secure network connection and strict security.

The Child Project™ will complement and enhance fingerprinting and photo identification programs now in place across the nation. The Child Project™ will significantly improve these programs by capturing and storing a unique numeric identifier based on a digital photograph of the individual's iris, along with pertinent demographic information. The iris recognition equipment is very portable and simple to use, making it ideal for use at remote locations such as fairs and special events.

The Child Project™ Principals

The Child Project™ is a collaborative effort between the Nation's Missing Children Organization (NMCO) and The Child Project™ to create a nationwide Children's Identification and Location Database, which utilizes iris recognition biometric technology.

The Nation's Missing Children Organization & Center for Missing Adults (NMCO) is a nonprofit agency providing nationwide assistance to law enforcement and families of missing persons. The agency, headquartered in Phoenix, AZ, was founded in 1994 by Kym Pasqualini who, at the age of eight, survived an attempted abduction by a knife wielding stranger. The group provides a variety of services including advocacy, search assistance, national distribution of information related to missing persons and various programs addressing child safety such as the child ID program. NMCO acts as a clearinghouse of information and does not provide investigative services or employ private investigators.

NMCO is a member of the Association for Missing & Exploited Children's Organizations (AMECO) working with over 30 other agencies in the United States and Canada dedicated to providing victim assistance and education. Kym Pasqualini, the founder, President and CEO of NMCO, is a member of the AMECO Board of Directors and is also serving as Chairman of the Government Relations Committee and member of the Ethics Committee.

For more information about the Nation's Missing Children Organization (NMCO) and The Child Project™, please contact Kym L. Pasqualini, Chief Executive Officer, at 602-944-1768.

For more information about The Child Project™, please contact Kevin O'Reilly, Director of Communications, at 800-479-1621, extension 318.