How long is a missing person record retained?

A missing person record is retained indefinitely until an action is taken by the originating agency. This means that the record remains active and accessible until the agency decides to remove or clear the record, which could be due to various reasons, such as locating the missing person or determining that the report is no longer necessary.

This approach ensures that the record is available for as long as it may be needed during ongoing investigations or searches. It also underscores the importance of maintaining accurate records in law enforcement, as the circumstances surrounding a missing person's status can change over time. By retaining the record indefinitely, law enforcement can respond promptly if new information arises or if a sighting is reported.

The other choices suggest either a limitation on the retention period or an arbitrary time frame, which does not align with the policy of ensuring that all relevant records remain available until the agency acts on them.