42 U.S.C. § 1716

Presumption of death or detention

A determination that an individual is dead or a determination that he has been detained by a hostile force or person may be made on the basis of evidence that he has disappeared under circumstances such as to make such death or detention appear probable.

( Dec. 2, 1942, ch. 668 , title II, § 206, 56 Stat. 1034 ; Pub. L. 85–608, title I, § 104 , Aug. 8, 1958 , 72 Stat. 537 .)