Patent ID: 6993491

Claim:
A method for aiding a carrier in the determination of the location of a missing person while the carrier is automatically processing mail, said method comprises the steps of: A. receiving a name of a missing person which is stored in a database; B. receiving a list of parties that the missing person is likely to receive mail from or send mail to which is stored in a database; C. utilizing a scanner to scan mail faces that have been deposited with the carrier by any sender of mail; D. comparing the scanned mail information to the name of the missing person and a party appearing on the list of parties which are stored in the database for producing a list of scanned names and addresses in an alphanumeric format that includes the name of the missing person and the party appearing on the list of parties; E. delivering the produced list to a party that is permitted by law to receive the list regarding mail that the missing person may have sent or received; and F. reviewing the delivered list to determine if the missing person is the recipient or sender of mail that is listed on the delivered list.