NamUs
The American government's public database of missing and unidentified persons, searchable by absolutely anyone.
Opens in a new tab. We do not control this site and it may have changed since we catalogued it.
How to get the most from it
NamUs sits in Mysteries & Riddles under Learn, filed as coffee break.
- Set aside five to fifteen minutes and give it your proper attention.
- It works on a phone or a desktop, so open it on whatever is nearest.
- It works with the sound off, so it is fine on a train or in a quiet office.
- No account needed — you can start without signing up.
- Go in expecting something useful and unsettling.
About this category: Logic mysteries, cipher tools, unsolved cases and ARG-shaped sites that never quite explain themselves. Deduction as entertainment.
Good for
- Filling a coffee break properly
- Getting something practical done
- A little creeping unease
- A quiet break at your desk
- Killing time on your phone
- Trying it with zero commitment
NamUs: quick answers
Is NamUs free?
Yes. NamUs is free to use and needs no account.
Do I need an account to use NamUs?
No. You can use NamUs without signing up for anything.
Does NamUs work on a phone?
Yes. NamUs works on phones as well as desktop browsers.
Is NamUs safe for work?
Yes, we file it as safe for work. It also works muted.
How long does NamUs take?
We file it as "Coffee break": Five to fifteen minutes of proper attention.
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