What term is used to refer to an adult who has been reported as unaccounted for?

The term "missing adult" specifically refers to an adult individual who has been reported as unaccounted for. This term is used in law enforcement and public safety contexts to indicate that an adult has disappeared under circumstances that create concern for their safety.

When someone is labeled as a "missing adult," it typically means there are valid reasons to believe they may be in danger or have encountered some form of crisis. This term helps law enforcement agencies and search organizations classify and prioritize cases involving adults appropriately. It draws a distinction from other classifications like "missing child" or "missing juvenile," which apply specifically to minors.

The distinction among these terms is important because the approach and resources used in searching for a missing adult can differ significantly from those used in cases involving children or teenagers, reflecting the varied levels of risk and different considerations in each scenario.