Introducing the Databases - Version 2 (2010/05/04)

Welcome to Version 2 of the databases. Version 1 had a few problems and have now been deleted and replaced with this new version.
There are a lot of major improvements with Version 2;
  • The databases now work with ALL web browsers including all versions of internet explorer. (Version 1 struggled with many versions of internet explorer and this is now resolved.)
  • Version 1 searching was case sensitive. This problem has been overcome. Version 2 searching is no longer case sensitive. You can now type in either uppercase, lowercase or mixture...
  • In version 1, you had to clear the search boxes to show all cases again once you had finished searching. There is now the addition of a "Reset" button at the bottom of the database on the right hand side. Simply press this and all cases will be shown.
  • There is now the addition of a "Number of Cases" Row counter at the bottom left of the databases, showing the total number of cases on that particular database. The number will change as you type into the boxes.
  • A few of the columns are now drop down selection boxes. The "weight" column now supports ranges as per-request.
  • The "collapse as you type" feature has been retained and improved.

Below follows a brief user guide. Please Read to familiarise yourself with the usage of the databases.

For convenience all Missing and Unidentified cases on this website are presented in a unique way. The Norm for websites is to click a link to take you to another page. Everything on this website is on one page. It uses a system of pop-up boxes for photos, identifying marks and the full case itself. This new system means you do not have to click on hundreds of pages to visit them all to look for possible matches.
This system is ideal as it means you can see all information without leaving the page. It saves a huge amount of your time.
It was also important because of the search facility on the database pages. Run your mouse over hyperlinked elements for info. If you hover over the last name in the first column, you get a pop-up photo showing the person. The Identifying column gives a text pop-up showing any distinguishing features the person had. The Identifying Column is a very useful tool.
All the pop-up text is searchable, so for instance if you have a UID that had scars or tattoo's you can simply type either of those keywords and the database will collapse as you type, leaving a list of missing people with those characteristics. It even allows you to be more specific. You can enter the name or object of or on a tattoo. It is the same with any keyword for all distinguishing characteristics. This is important as it saves tons of your time and populates a list almost instantly of Possible Matches for your UID, or a list of UIDs for your Missing Person.
Even better is the ability to search multiple columns at once. You can limit all results whether by state, characteristics, time period...etc...etc when you have got all the possibilites in that column, you can switch to another to limit the possibilities even further.
Both Photo and Identifying pop-ups disappear when your mouse leaves the link. Hover above the Case Details in the view column and the full case pops-up. You will find a link to the case on the Porchlight Forum at the bottom of each case page. The case remains sticky even when your mouse exits the link or until you select another link. Simply click the "X" to close when you are done with that particular case.
You can also sort the database in many ways by clicking the top row hyperlinks in the table header.
If you are looking for a certain case, you can enter the last name of the person in the relevant last name column. The database will collapse as you type, leaving that name if present. Click the Reset button to show all cases again.

Some Common Questions Answered:

1) How do I find newly added cases?
Simple! The final column is "date added" click that text in the table header and it will sort them by date added. Click it again will sort them in the opposite direction.

2) Sometimes when I hover over a photo, why does only half the photo appears?
This seems to be a bug in the coding. I am working on it. In the meantime, simply move your mouse cursor off the photo and then back on to it. The full photo will appear.

3) How do I use the database to give me the best chance of a match? I am not used to databases.
Most people aren't, that is what makes this different. Okay, you have a UID you are interested in matching with a missing person. What Colour Hair did they have? If Brown, type the word "Brown" into the database in the hair column. The database collapses as you type and you are left with all the Missing Persons with Brown Hair. What Colour eyes? Blue? Type the colour if it could be determined into the eye column. Again, all colours are rejected apart from that colour. Type the race into the Race column. You are left with cases that meet the requirements for the Unidentified Person. Did the UID have any distinguishing characteristics? Perhaps a scar or tattoo? Maybe the tattoo had a name on it? enter either the words "scar" "tattoo" or a name on the tattoo into the identifying column and again, you will only be left with a Missing Person with those characteristics. If all the names disappear from the database, that person might not be in our database. If you are left with names, they are the possibilities for your UID. Look at the date of discovery for your UID. Reject any missing persons after this date. (It might help you to click on the "Date Missing" header and sort the remaining names by Date. Hover your mouse above the remaining cases in the "View" column and see if the circumstances match. If you submit it to both UID and Missing Persons Detectives whose contact details will be listed. If they do turn out to be a match and our databases helped solve it, then please email me using the contact me page on the homepage.