Describe a last-seen place clearly

“Near the station” may feel precise to a family member and mean several different places to everyone else. A useful location description identifies the place and explains how the information was obtained. It should not imply precision that the source cannot support.

Start with an ordinary description

Record the city or district, the named place, and a useful nearby landmark. Include which entrance, platform, street side, or direction of travel was observed if known. Ask the witness to describe the location in their own words before trying to standardize it.

If a map pin is available, label whether it marks an exact observation or an approximate area. Keep an approximate pin from turning into a claim that someone stood at a particular doorway.

Add time and source

A location without a date can send helpers to the right place on the wrong assumption. Pair it with the event date, approximate time, and whether the account is direct or forwarded.

• Place name and any alternative local spelling.
• City, district, and nearby landmark.
• Direction or entrance, if actually observed.
• Approximate or exact location.
• Person or record supporting the description.

Decide what belongs in public

Authorities may need a detailed address privately. A public appeal may only need a broader area, particularly if an exact location could expose a vulnerable person or another household.

For Wakif, use the available location fields consistently with your description. Do not select a nearby city simply to make the form look complete. If the correct option is unclear, preserve the accurate place name in the appropriate description and seek clarification rather than disguising uncertainty.