Google has put in place a online person finder in the wake of the Boston Marathon explosions.
The Google Person Finder allows people to search for loved ones, by their name, to see whether they are accounted for after the explosions.
Google spokesperson Jordan Newman tells NBC10.com the system has two parts – one to search for people and another to input information about those they’re looking for or someone they have information about.
With the “I’m looking for someone” option, people can search for a person. Information about their condition and whether they’ve been located is highlighted in green.
The “I have information about someone” allows people to post someone’s name, hometown and their condition – if they know it.
Newman says Google does not monitor the records, so there may be duplicates in the system. He stresses that the person finder is meant to be a tool to help people find their friends and family.
Since the system is hosted over the internet, it could still be available to people who are unable to call or text message during high cell service usage.
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The technology was first used after the devastating 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
