NIEM Examples - Amber Alert (AA)
Amber Alert NIEM Specifications
This section describes NIEM format specifications and provides NIEM examples of Amber Alert Messages (AA) for state broadcasts.
Nlets now provides a standardized response format for this message type. The standardized format for this message is anticipated to be supported on the Nlets production system by July of 2016. Please contact Kate Silhol at ksilhol@nlets.org for additional information regarding implementation.
All Nlets NIEM messages must be based on the Nlets NIEM Message Structure and include the standard Nlets XML Header as detailed in Message Structure. The NIEM header and hierarchy of the elements in this section have been omitted to avoid redundancy. The associated schemas and instances should be consulted to determine the correct XPaths of the elements.
Element Dictionary
Transaction types detailed below include: Amber Alert (AA) & Standardized Amber Alert (AA).
Message Formats
Amber Alert (AA)
n2:NLETSMailData
This element will contain all elements specific to this transaction.
n2:AmberAlertCategoryText
Text describing the type of Amber Alert.
n2:MailMessageText
This element will contain the free text response. Nlets recommends the use of
<![CDATA[]]>
tags to ensure that the
response does not contain any characters illegal in XML.
nc:Image
Optional image tag. This element will contain an image if one is available.
nc:BinaryBase64Object
NIEM: A binary encoding of data.
nc:BinaryCaptureDate
NIEM:A date on which a binary object is captured or created.
nc:BinaryDescriptionText
NIEM:A description of a binary object.
nc:BinaryFormatID
NIEM:An identifier for a file format or content type of a binary object.
nc:BinarySizeValue
NIEM:A size of a binary object in kilobytes.
nc:BinaryCategoryText
NIEM:A kind of object that has been encoded.
nc:PersonDigitalImage
Optional image tag. This element will contain an image if one is available.
nc:BinaryBase64Object
NIEM: A binary encoding of data.
nc:BinaryCaptureDate
NIEM:A date on which a binary object is captured or created.
nc:BinaryDescriptionText
NIEM:A description of a binary object.
nc:BinaryFormatID
NIEM:An identifier for a file format or content type of a binary object.
nc:BinarySizeValue
NIEM:A size of a binary object in kilobytes.
nc:BinaryCategoryText
NIEM:A kind of object that has been encoded.
Standardized Amber Alert (AA)
n2-aa:NLETSMailData
This element will contain all elements specific to this transaction.
n2-aa:AmberAlert
n2-aa:AmberAlertID
An optional ID associated with the Amber Alert.
n2-aa:AmberAlertDateTime
nc:DateTime
A full date and time.
n2-aa:AmberAlertStatusText
nc:TextType
A data type for a character string.
nc:ContactInformation
A set of details about how to contact a person or an organization.
nc:ContactEmailID
An electronic mailing address by which a person or organization may be contacted.
nc:ContactTelephoneNumber
A telephone number for a telecommunication device by which a person or organization may be contacted.
nc:FullTelephoneNumber
A full telephone number.
nc:TelephoneNumberFullID
A complete telephone number.
nc:ContactWebsiteURI
A website address by which a person or organization may be contacted.
nc:ContactEntity
An entity that may be contacted by using the given contact information.
nc:EntityOrganization
An organization capable of bearing legal rights and responsibilities.
nc:OrganizationName
A name of an organization.
n2-aa:AmberAlertDisseminationTarget
nc:LocationPostalCode
An identifier of a post office-assigned zone for an address.
nc:LocationCountyCode or
A county, parish, vicinage, or other such geopolitical subdivision of a state.
nc:LocationCountyName
A name of a county, parish, vicinage, or other such geopolitical subdivision of a state.
nc:LocationStateUSPostalServiceCode or
A state, commonwealth, province, or other such geopolitical subdivision of a country.
nc:LocationStateName
A name of a state, commonwealth, province, or other such geopolitical subdivision of a country.
nc:LocationStateFIPS10-4InternationalCode
A state, commonwealth, province, or other such geopolitical subdivision of a country.
n2-aa:AmberAlertShortMessage
A short message that may be used to concisely convey the necessary information about the alert.
n2-aa:MessageIntendedDevice
The type of device that the message is intended to be displayed on.
nc:MessageText
A body or main content of a message.
@xml:lang
Optional attribute to indicate the language of the text.
nc:Vehicle or
A conveyance designed to carry an operator, passengers and/or cargo, over land.
nc:Aircraft or
A mode of transportation capable of flying in the air.
nc:Vessel
A mode of transportation capable of transport by water.
nc:ItemDescriptionText
A description of an item.
nc:ItemOwnerAppliedID
An identifier applied to an item by the owner.
n2-aa:ConveyanceColorInteriorText
A majority color of the interior of a conveyance.
nc:ConveyanceColorPrimaryText
A single, upper-most, front-most, or majority color of a conveyance.
nc:ConveyanceColorSecondaryText
A lower-most or rear-most color of a two-tone conveyance or a lesser color of a multi-colored conveyance.
nc:ItemImage
A binary representation of an image of an item.
nc:ItemMakeName
A name of the manufacturer that produced an item.
nc:ItemModelName
A name of a specific design or kind of item made by a manufacturer.
nc:ItemModelYearDate
A year in which an item was manufactured or produced.
nc:ItemStyleText
A style of a property item.
n2-aa:ConveyanceAugmentation
j:ConveyanceRegistration
A registration of a conveyance with an authority.
j:ConveyanceRegistrationPlateIdentification
An identification on a metal plate fixed to a conveyance.
nc:IdentificationID
An area, region, or unit where a unique identification is issued.
nc:IdentificationJurisdiction
An area, region, or unit where a unique identification is issued.
nc:LocationStateName
A name of a state, commonwealth, province, or other such geopolitical subdivision of a country.
nc:VehicleIdentification
A unique identification for a specific vehicle.
nc:AircraftTailIdentification
An identification of an aircraft.
j:MissingPerson or
A person whose whereabouts are unknown.
j:Subject
A person who is involved or suspected of being involved in an incident or criminal activity.
nc:RoleOfPerson
A person of whom the role object is a function.
nc:PersonAgeDescriptionText
A general description of the age of a person.
nc:PersonBirthDate
A date a person was born.
nc:Date
A full date.
This element contains the DOB for the person being queried on. This data in this element must be in xsd:date format, that is: yyyy-mm-dd.
nc:PersonBuildText
A person's physique or body shape.
nc:PersonCitizenshipText
A country that assigns rights, duties, and privileges to a person because of the birth or naturalization of the person in that country.
nc:PersonDescriptionText
A description of a person.
nc:PersonDigitalImage
Optional image tag. This element will contain an image if one is available.
nc:BinaryAvailableIndicator
NIEM:True if a binary is available; false if it is not.
nc:BinaryCaptureDate
NIEM:A date on which a binary object is captured or created.
nc:BinaryCategoryText
NIEM:A kind of object that has been encoded.
nc:BinaryDescriptionText
NIEM:A description of a binary object.
nc:BinaryFormatText
NIEM:An identifier for a file format or content type of a binary object.
nc:BinaryLocationText
NIEM:Value will indicate the location of image if not sent electronically in message.
nc:BinaryBase64Object
NIEM: A binary encoding of data.
nc:BinaryURI
NIEM:URI of image if not sent electronically in message.
nc:BinarySizeValue
NIEM:A size of a binary object in kilobytes.
j:ImageAugmentation
NIEM:Additional information about the image.
j:ImageJuvenileIndicator
NIEM:True/false. True if the sending agency would like to convey that the image is of a juvenile.
n2:ImageAugmentation
NIEM:Additional information about the image.
n2:ImagePrimaryIndicator
NIEM:True/false. This must be sent with a value of true for one image if there are multiples provided.
n2:ImageRemovedByNletsIndicator
NIEM:True/false. True if Nlets has stripped the Base64 data from the image due to the destination's configuration.
nc:PersonEthnicityText
A cultural lineage of a person.
nc:PersonEyeColorText
A color of the eyes of a person.
nc:PersonEyewearText
A description of glasses or other eyewear a person wears.
nc:PersonHairColorText
A color of the hair of a person.
nc:PersonHairLengthText
A length of hair of a person.
nc:PersonHeightMeasure
A measurement of the height of a person.
nc:MeasureValueText
A textual description of a measurement value.
nc:PersonRaceText
A classification of a person based on factors such as geographical locations and genetics.
nc:PersonSexText
A gender or sex of a person.
nc:PersonSkinToneText
A color or tone of the skin of a person.
nc:PersonWeightMeasure
A measurement of the weight of a person.
nc:MeasureValueText
A textual description of a measurement value.
nc:PersonSSNIdentification
A unique identification reference to a living person; assigned by the United States Social Security Administration.
nc:IdentificationID
An identifier.
nc:PersonMedicalCondition
A state of health for a person, on-going or present.
nc:MedicalConditionText
A state of health, on-going or present.
nc:PersonName
A combination of names and/or titles by which a person is known.
nc:PersonFullName
A complete name of a person.
nc:PersonPhysicalFeature
A prominent or easily identifiable aspect of a person.
nc:PhysicalFeatureDescriptionText
j:PhysicalFeatureCategoryCode
A specific kind of physical feature.
nc:PersonPhysicalFeature
A prominent or easily identifiable aspect of a person.
nc:PhysicalFeatureCategoryCode
nc:PhysicalFeatureDescriptionText
nc:PhysicalFeatureImage
Optional image tag. This element will contain an image if one is available.
nc:BinaryAvailableIndicator
NIEM:True if a binary is available; false if it is not.
nc:BinaryCaptureDate
NIEM:A date on which a binary object is captured or created.
nc:BinaryCategoryText
NIEM:A kind of object that has been encoded.
nc:BinaryDescriptionText
NIEM:A description of a binary object.
nc:BinaryFormatText
NIEM:An identifier for a file format or content type of a binary object.
nc:BinaryLocationText
NIEM:Value will indicate the location of image if not sent electronically in message.
nc:BinaryBase64Object
NIEM: A binary encoding of data.
nc:BinaryURI
NIEM:URI of image if not sent electronically in message.
nc:BinarySizeValue
NIEM:A size of a binary object in kilobytes.
j:ImageAugmentation
NIEM:Additional information about the image.
j:ImageJuvenileIndicator
NIEM:True/false. True if the sending agency would like to convey that the image is of a juvenile.
n2:ImageAugmentation
NIEM:Additional information about the image.
n2:ImagePrimaryIndicator
NIEM:True/false. This must be sent with a value of true for one image if there are multiples provided.
n2:ImageRemovedByNletsIndicator
NIEM:True/false. True if Nlets has stripped the Base64 data from the image due to the destination's configuration.
n2-aa:PersonAugmentation
Additional information about a person.
n2-aa:PersonJewelry
Jewelry that a person is believed or known to be wearing.
j:JewelryCategoryCode
A kind of jewelry.
nc:ItemDescriptionText
A description of an item.
n2-aa:NCICEntry
n2-aa:NCICEntryMadeIndicator
A boolean indicator as to whether or not an entry has been made in NCIC.
n2-aa:NCICMessageKeyUsedText
The message key used to make the entry in NCIC.
j:PersonNCICIdentification
A file control number (FCN) identification that is often used to link a NCIC record to a person.
nc:IdentificationID
An identifier.
j:PersonAugmentation
Additional information about a person.
j:DriverLicense
A license issued to a person granting driving privileges.
j:DriverLicenseIdentification
A driver license identification or driver license permit identification, including the number and state.
nc:IdentificationID
An identifier.
nc:IdentificationJurisdictionNCICLSTACode or
An area, region, or unit where a unique identification is issued.
nc:IdentificationJurisdictionText
An area, region, or unit where a unique identification is issued.
j:DriverLicenseExpirationDate
A date after which a driver license or driver license permit is no longer valid.
j:ClothingDescriptionText
A description of an article of clothing.
j:PersonCautionInformationText
A cautionary piece of information about a person.
cyfs:PersonAugmentation
Additional information about a person.
cyfs:TribalAffiliationText
A tribe in which the child may be affiliated with.
j:MissingPersonCircumstanceText (only in MissingPerson element)
A circumstance surrounding the disappearance of a person.
@xml:lang
Optional attribute to indicate the language of the text.
j:MissingPersonLastSeenDate (only in MissingPerson element)
A date a missing person was last seen before disappearing.
nc:DateTime
A full date and time.
j:MissingPersonLastSeenLocation (only in MissingPerson element)
A place a missing person was last seen before disappearing.
nc:Address
A postal location to which paper mail can be directed.
nc:AddressFullText
A complete address.
nc:LocationLocale
A geopolitical area.
nc:AddressCrossStreet
A location identified by two or more streets which intersect.
nc:LocationDescriptionText
A description of a location.
nc:Location2DGeospatialCoordinate
A location identified by a latitude and longitude.
nc:GeographicCoordinateLatitude
A measurement of the angular distance between a point on the Earth and the Equator.
nc:GeographicCoordinateLongitude
A measurement of the angular distance between a point on the Earth and the Prime Meridian.
n2-aa:MissingPersonAugmentation (only in MissingPerson element)
Additional information about a missing person.
n2-aa:TravelDirectionText
The direction in which the person was known or believed to be traveling.
Amber Alert NIEM Examples
Example 1: Amber Alert message received by a user.
<n2:NLETS xmlns:nh2="http://www.nlets.org/niem/nlets-hdr/1.0" n2:version="4.00" xmlns:nc="http://niem.gov/niem/niem-core/2.0" xmlns:n2="http://www.nlets.org/niem/1.0">
<n2:NLETSMessageHeader>
<nh2:MessageKeyCodeText>AA</nh2:MessageKeyCodeText>
<nh2:OriginatingORIID>AZNLETS20</nh2:OriginatingORIID>
<nh2:DestinationORIID>AZ</nh2:DestinationORIID>
<nh2:DocumentControlFieldText>
<![CDATA[LTN2000000]]>
</nh2:DocumentControlFieldText>
<nh2:MessageReceiveDate>11/27/2019</nh2:MessageReceiveDate>
<nh2:MessageReceiveTime>05:29</nh2:MessageReceiveTime>
<nh2:MessageSendDate>11/27/2019</nh2:MessageSendDate>
<nh2:MessageSendTime>05:29</nh2:MessageSendTime>
<nh2:ReceiveMessageNumeric>00000</nh2:ReceiveMessageNumeric>
<nh2:SendMessageNumeric>00005</nh2:SendMessageNumeric>
</n2:NLETSMessageHeader>
<n2:NLETSMailData n2:key="AA">
<n2:MailMessageText>
***** HIGH PRIORITY MESSAGE *****
******* NLETS TEST AMBER ALERT *******
****** ACTIVATION *******
AGENCY DATA:
REQUESTING AGENCY: AZ STATE POLICE PHOENIX
AUTHORIZING OFFICER: LT J SMITH
AGENCY PHONE: 602-555-1234
NCIC NUMBER: A111111111
DATE OF ABDUCTION: 20110101
TIME OF ABDUCTION: 0400
ABDUCTION LOCATION: 1234 ANY STREET PHOENIX, AZ
CAUTION CONDITION: INVOLVED IN POSSIBLE HOMICIDE
VICTIM 1 DATA:
VICTIM # 1: SMITH, SUSIE
DATE OF BIRTH: 20000101
AGE: 11
HEIGHT: 400
WEIGHT: 110
HAIR: BLN
EYES: HAZ
SEX: F
RACE: W
VICTIM 1 CLOTHING: WEARS BLACK FRAME GLASSES WITH PINK DIAMONDS ON SIDES
VEHICLE DATA:
LICENSE PLATE NUMBER: 111AAA
LICENSE PLATE STATE: AZ
LICENSE PLATE TYPE: PC
VEHICLE YEAR: 2005
VEHICLE MAKE: CHEV
VEHICLE MODEL: LUM
VEHICLE COLOR: RED
OTHER IDENTIFIERS: PAINT PEELING FROM TRUNK
REMARKS: ***CAUTION**** POSSIBLY INVOLVED IN HOMICIDE
SIGNED: CAPT JOHN SMITH U/23
AUTHORITY: MAJ JOHN SMITH U/9
TIME: 1000
AGENCY: AZ STATE POLICE HEADQUARTERS AA2000 OPR/2440 UNI/9
</n2:MailMessageText>
</n2:NLETSMailData>
</n2:NLETS>
Example 2: Standardized Amber Alert message received by a user.
<n2:NLETS n2:version="4.00"
xmlns:nc="http://release.niem.gov/niem/niem-core/3.0/"
xmlns:nc2="http://niem.gov/niem/niem-core/2.0"
xmlns:n2="http://www.nlets.org/niem/1.0"
xmlns:nh2="http://www.nlets.org/niem/nlets-hdr/1.0"
xmlns:n2-aa="http://www.nlets.org/niem/nlets-amber-alert/1.0"
xmlns:j="http://release.niem.gov/niem/domains/jxdm/5.1/"
xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance">
<n2:NLETSMessageHeader>
<nh2:MessageKeyCodeText>AA</nh2:MessageKeyCodeText>
<nh2:OriginatingORIID>AZNLETS20</nh2:OriginatingORIID>
<nh2:DestinationORIID>AZ</nh2:DestinationORIID>
<nh2:DocumentControlFieldText><![CDATA[TSTMESSAGE]]></nh2:DocumentControlFieldText>
</n2:NLETSMessageHeader>
<n2:NLETSMailData n2:key="AA">
<n2-aa:AmberAlert>
<n2-aa:AmberAlertID>12345</n2-aa:AmberAlertID>
<n2-aa:AmberAlertDateTime>
<nc:DateTime>2015-01-01T00:00:00Z</nc:DateTime>
</n2-aa:AmberAlertDateTime>
<n2-aa:AmberAlertStatusText>Activate</n2-aa:AmberAlertStatusText>
<nc:ContactInformation>
<nc:ContactEmailID>amber@ncmec.org</nc:ContactEmailID>
<nc:ContactTelephoneNumber>
<nc:FullTelephoneNumber>
<nc:TelephoneNumberFullID>1231231234</nc:TelephoneNumberFullID>
</nc:FullTelephoneNumber>
</nc:ContactTelephoneNumber>
<nc:ContactWebsiteURI>www.ncmec.org</nc:ContactWebsiteURI>
<nc:ContactEntity>
<nc:EntityOrganization>
<nc:OrganizationName>Organization Name</nc:OrganizationName>
</nc:EntityOrganization>
</nc:ContactEntity>
</nc:ContactInformation>
<n2-aa:AmberAlertDisseminationTarget>
<nc:LocationPostalCode>85085</nc:LocationPostalCode>
</n2-aa:AmberAlertDisseminationTarget>
<n2-aa:AmberAlertShortMessage>
<nc:MessageText>Juvenile last seen in green Honda Civic Plate ABC123</nc:MessageText>
<n2-aa:MessageIntendedDevice>Telephone text message</n2-aa:MessageIntendedDevice>
</n2-aa:AmberAlertShortMessage>
<nc:Vehicle>
<nc:ConveyanceColorPrimaryText>Blue</nc:ConveyanceColorPrimaryText>
<nc:ConveyanceColorSecondaryText>Black</nc:ConveyanceColorSecondaryText>
<nc:ItemMakeName>Honda</nc:ItemMakeName>
<nc:ItemModelName>Civic</nc:ItemModelName>
<nc:ItemModelYearDate>2010</nc:ItemModelYearDate>
<n2-aa:ConveyanceAugmentation>
<j:ConveyanceRegistration>
<j:ConveyanceRegistrationPlateIdentification>
<nc:IdentificationID>ABC123</nc:IdentificationID>
<nc:IdentificationJurisdiction>
<nc:LocationStateName>AZ</nc:LocationStateName>
</nc:IdentificationJurisdiction>
</j:ConveyanceRegistrationPlateIdentification>
</j:ConveyanceRegistration>
</n2-aa:ConveyanceAugmentation>
</nc:Vehicle>
<j:MissingPerson>
<nc:RoleOfPerson>
<nc:PersonAgeDescriptionText>7 years old</nc:PersonAgeDescriptionText>
<nc:PersonBirthDate>
<nc:Date>2008-01-01</nc:Date>
</nc:PersonBirthDate>
<nc:PersonCitizenshipText>United States</nc:PersonCitizenshipText>
<nc:PersonDescriptionText>7 year old boy, brown hair and glasses carrying blue backpack</nc:PersonDescriptionText>
<nc:PersonEthnicityText>Not Hispanic</nc:PersonEthnicityText>
<nc:PersonEyeColorText>Brown</nc:PersonEyeColorText>
<nc:PersonHairColorText>Brown</nc:PersonHairColorText>
<nc:PersonHeightMeasure>
<nc:MeasureValueText>400</nc:MeasureValueText>
</nc:PersonHeightMeasure>
<nc:PersonName>
<nc:PersonFullName>DOE,JOHN</nc:PersonFullName>
</nc:PersonName>
<nc:PersonRaceText>White</nc:PersonRaceText>
<nc:PersonSexText>Male</nc:PersonSexText>
<n2-aa:PersonAugmentation>
<n2-aa:PersonJewelry>
<nc:ItemDescriptionText>black bracelet</nc:ItemDescriptionText>
</n2-aa:PersonJewelry>
<n2-aa:NCICEntry>
<n2-aa:NCICEntryMadeIndicator>true</n2-aa:NCICEntryMadeIndicator>
<n2-aa:NCICMessageKeyUsedText>EM-J</n2-aa:NCICMessageKeyUsedText>
<j:PersonNCICIdentification>
<nc:IdentificationID>M123456789</nc:IdentificationID>
</j:PersonNCICIdentification>
</n2-aa:NCICEntry>
</n2-aa:PersonAugmentation>
<j:PersonAugmentation>
<j:PersonClothing>
<j:ClothingDescriptionText>white shirt, blue backpack</j:ClothingDescriptionText>
</j:PersonClothing>
</j:PersonAugmentation>
</nc:RoleOfPerson>
<j:MissingPersonCircumstanceText>Last seen leaving park with subject</j:MissingPersonCircumstanceText>
<j:MissingPersonLastSeenDate>
<nc:DateTime>2015-01-01T00:00:00Z</nc:DateTime>
</j:MissingPersonLastSeenDate>
<j:MissingPersonLastSeenLocation>
<nc:Address>
<nc:AddressFullText>1918 W. Whispering Wind Dr.</nc:AddressFullText>
</nc:Address>
</j:MissingPersonLastSeenLocation>
</j:MissingPerson>
<j:Subject>
<nc:RoleOfPerson>
<nc:PersonAgeDescriptionText>Late 40s</nc:PersonAgeDescriptionText>
<nc:PersonBirthDate>
<nc:Date>2008-01-01</nc:Date>
</nc:PersonBirthDate>
<nc:PersonDescriptionText>Male late 40's wearing dark sweatshirt</nc:PersonDescriptionText>
<nc:PersonEthnicityText>Not Hispanic</nc:PersonEthnicityText>
<nc:PersonEyeColorText>Brown</nc:PersonEyeColorText>
<nc:PersonHairColorText>Brown</nc:PersonHairColorText>
<nc:PersonName>
<nc:PersonFullName>Smith,Joe</nc:PersonFullName>
</nc:PersonName>
<nc:PersonRaceText>White</nc:PersonRaceText>
<nc:PersonSexText>Male</nc:PersonSexText>
<j:PersonAugmentation>
<j:PersonClothing>
<j:ClothingDescriptionText>dark sweatshirt and jeans</j:ClothingDescriptionText>
</j:PersonClothing>
<j:PersonCautionInformationText>armed and dangerous</j:PersonCautionInformationText>
</j:PersonAugmentation>
</nc:RoleOfPerson>
</j:Subject>
</n2-aa:AmberAlert>
</n2:NLETSMailData>
</n2:NLETS>