What is
MOCHIP?
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.
Click
the picture above to see an article on scent research obtained from a bite imprint
Click
on the picture above to view and download the Missouri Masonic Children's
Foundation MOCHIP Brochure.
MOCHIP
is offered free
of charge to
all participants. All identifying items
generated
during MOCHIP
are given to the child’s parent/guardian except for the permission
form.
The
registration /permission form is filed for statistical information only and will
not be given out to anyone for any reason. All information
entered in the computers is purged at the conclusion of a MOCHIP event.
The
data filled out on the information
collection form is voluntary. If there is any information you
would rather not disclose, just skip over it. Both of these forms can be
downloaded, printed and filled out prior to participating in a MOCHIP
event.
How
MOCHIP benefits Freemasonry and the community:
-
MOCHIP
promotes fellowship among the Masonic Family
-
MOCHIP
gets Freemasons out in and involved with the community
-
MOCHIP
promotes a positive image of Freemasons in the community
-
MOCHIP
provides parents with vital documented and recorded information about their
children which can be given to law enforcement in the event a child is
missing.
-
MOCHIP
provides law enforcement with all of the information necessary to broadcast
and AMBER Alert
-
MOCHIP
provides a scent on the dental wafer which will help search dogs pick up a
trail to a child
-
MOCHIP
is FREE of charge to the public
