Archives director coordinates Find Me Packits program

One of the most time-consuming parts of a missing person investigation is gathering basic information about that person, according to Franklin County Sheriff Shannon Oliver. What if there was a way to cut down that time and find the missing person faster?

Well, Chris Ozbirn is introducing Franklin County and all of Alabama to something she believes will help with this: Find Me Packits.

Ozbirn is the state of Alabama coordinator/representative for Find Me Packits, which are made by Morningstar Investigations and Process Servers, based out of Florida. Thanks to Ozbirn, Alabama is now the second state to have access to Find Me Packits.

“I wouldn’t do this if I didn’t believe in them,” Ozbirn said.

The “Packits” are boxes, one for children and one for adults, that contain supplies to keep a person’s DNA samples and information safe and at the ready in the case of an emergency, like when someone goes missing.

“It’s the only thing like it that I’ve seen,” Oliver said.

Ozbirn explained the “packit” includes a fingerprint kit, swabs for DNA and essence and jars to keep samples in, forms for dental and other health records and other information law enforcement needs during an investigation.

“It would help us save a lot time locating missing persons and also in worst case scenarios where we have to identify people,” Oliver said.

Ozbirn has reached out for support to the Colbert County School system as well as Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow, who is behind it 100 percent.

“He said that going through the school systems would be a great way to get it started and raise interest in it,” Ozbirn said.

Normally, the “Packits” are $24.99, but if someone purchases one through Ozbirn at the Franklin County Archives, cost is $20.