Final answer:
The standard criteria for initiating a Silver Alert varies from state to state in the United States. However, there are common factors that most states consider including the age of the missing person, their disappearance under circumstances indicating a threat to their health and safety, and the availability of identification information.
Step-by-step explanation:
The standard criteria for initiating a Silver Alert varies from state to state in the United States. A Silver Alert is a public notification system designed to broadcast information about missing senior citizens, particularly those with Alzheimer's disease or other cognitive impairments.
However, there are some common factors that most states consider when initiating a Silver Alert:
Age: The missing person must typically be a senior citizen, usually defined as 60 years or older.
Disappearance: The person must be missing under circumstances indicating that their disappearance poses a credible threat to their health and safety.
Identification: There should be enough information available to disseminate to the public, such as a description of the missing person, their photograph, and their last known whereabouts.