DETECTIVE Senior Sergeant Damien Powell spends his time searching for missing people. Some have run away and don't want to be found.

Others have come into strife while trekking in the wilderness.

Then there are those who have met with foul play, their bodies sometimes discovered years later, sometimes not at all.

Det Snr Sgt Powell is the office- in-charge of the Queensland Police Missing Persons Unit in Brisbane.

Each time a person is reported missing anywhere within the state, it is automatically registered on the MPU database.

"Our main concern is for people's safety and welfare," Det Snr Sgt Powell said.

"Once we find you, if you don't want your whereabouts known then we will comply with your wishes."

There are 36,000 people reported missing in Australia each year.

Today marks the end of National Missing Persons Week.

Last financial year about 6000 were reported missing in Queensland.

"While the Queensland Police Service's recovery rate is 99.7%, there are approximately 260 people on the long-term missing persons register, dating back to 1970," Det Snr Sgt Powell said.

"We rely heavily on information from the public to help locate missing people.

"However small the information may be, often the key to finding a missing person lies with the eyes and ears of our community and we encourage anyone with information to contact police."

In Queensland, each missing person file will remain open until the person is found - dead or alive.

"It could be that the remains are found and identified through DNA, such as the case with Daniel Morcombe."

Det Snr Sgt Powell used the case of Maryborough woman Connie Bradbury, who was reported missing 13 years after she was last seen, as an example of why people should not wait to make a police report.

"Some people think you have to wait 24 hours, but that's not the case," he said.

"As soon as you have concerns for someone's safety and welfare, you should report the matter to police."

With police attempting to establish an investigation around a person not seen for 13 years, they encountered numerous problems.

"It's very hard to jog people's memories," Det Snr Sgt Powell said.

"It's hard to remember what you did three days ago let alone 13 years ago."

Missing persons cases are prioritised based on urgency and a risk assessment is carried out.

For example, someone physically fit might be classed as low risk, whereas children, the elderly or those with mental health problems would be categorised as high risk.

Det Snr Sgt Powell said this week's National Missing Persons Week was about reminding people to stay in touch with their loved ones.

"The theme is stay connected. Take the time out to touch base and let someone know where you are."