W. Va. Code § 15-3F-5: Activation of Purple Alert.

The following criteria shall be met before the State Police activate the Purple Alert:

(1) The person is believed to have a cognitive impairment;

(2) The person is believed to be missing, regardless of circumstance;

(3) An individual who has knowledge that the person is missing has submitted a missing person’s report to the State Police or other appropriate law-enforcement agency;

(4) The missing person may be in danger of death or serious bodily injury;

(5) The missing person is domiciled or believed to be located in the State of West Virginia;

(6) The missing person is, or is believed to be, at a location that cannot be determined by an individual familiar with the missing person, and the missing person is incapable of returning to his or her residence without assistance;

(7) There is sufficient information available to indicate that a Purple Alert would assist in locating the missing person; and

(8) The missing cognitively impaired person does not qualify for a Silver Alert or a Missing Endangered Child Alert.