The Child Identification Program (MOCHIP) addresses the alarming fact that over 1 million children are reported missing in the United States each year. The Missouri Freemason MOCHIP program provides parents and guardians with vital information that can be given to law enforcement agencies to help recover their children and return them safely. This program has been proven to be successful in several states already by enhancing and reinforcing programs that are already implemented.
MOCHIP consists of:
1. A mini CD – containing personal information about the child and digitally scanned fingerprints. Additionally, a hardcopy printout of the CD contents is provided in the packet.
2. Fingerprints: Children’s fingerprints are created with an inkless fingerprint system. Fingerprints are done digitally with a special scanner interfaced with the MOCHIP program software. Research proves that the thumb print of a person never changes in their life.
3. Teeth prints/DNA: A dental wafer is bitten into by the child. In addition to obtaining teeth imprints, the child's DNA is retained on the dental wafer and search dogs can pick up the unique scent of a child to enhance search efforts. If a child is too young to bite down on the wafer, the saliva collected on the wafer is still effective for DNA and scent.