Identification of dead bodies; missing persons.
Nev. Rev. Stat. § 480.500
in effect1. When a coroner is unable to establish the identity of a dead body by means other than by dental records, the coroner shall have a dental examination of the body made by a dentist. The dentist shall prepare a record of his or her findings and forward it to the coroner, who shall enter the information into the computer for the National Crime Information Center.
2. Each sheriff, chief of police or other law enforcement agency which receives a report of a person missing under suspicious circumstances who is 18 years of age or older shall:
(a) Notify immediately such persons and make inquiries concerning the missing person as the agency deems necessary; and
(b) Enter the information concerning the missing person into the computer for the National Crime Information Center.
3. The sheriff, chief of police or other law enforcement agency shall request the written consent of the next of kin or guardian of a person who has been reported to him or her as missing for 30 days or more to obtain certain identifying information about the missing person that the National Crime Information Center recommends be provided from the appropriate providers of medical care. After receiving the written consent, the sheriff, chief of police or other law enforcement agency shall obtain the identifying information from the providers of medical care and enter that information and any other relevant information into the computer for the National Crime Information Center for comparison with the identifying information that is on file concerning unidentified deceased persons. This subsection does not prevent the voluntary release of identifying information about the missing person by the next of kin or guardian of the missing person at any time.
4. The next of kin or guardian of the person reported as missing shall promptly notify the appropriate law enforcement agency when the missing person is found.
5. The sheriff, chief of police or other law enforcement agency shall update the records entered into the computer for the National Crime Information Center when a missing person has been found.
Source: NV Statutes (Official Site)URL: https://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/NRS-480.htmlFetched: 10/4/2026