HOW DO THE POLICE SEARCH FOR A MISSING PERSON
When a person is reported missing, it becomes the responsibility of the police to conduct a search and locate them. The search process is a complex and multifaceted task that requires a combination of resources, strategies, and skills. In most circumstances the person being reported missing will be graded by the Force Control room and a risk grading provided to the missing person, this is likely to be Low, Medium or High. The grading will guide a senior officer in Force Control Room what level of response should be allocated to search for the missing person. If the grading is High Risk this may involve a considerable specialist response and does have implications across policing as other emergency incidents also need the same level of priority
Step 1: Information Gathering
The first step in any missing person search is to gather information. The police will interview family members, friends, and anyone else who may have information about the missing person. The information collected will include the person's last known whereabouts, physical description, and any identifying characteristics. The police will also try to gather any additional information that may be relevant, such as the person's mental or physical health status, any recent changes in their life, and their social network. The information gathering phase is the most important and can be emotionally impactive for family and friends as sensitive health issues and history may be discussed. It may be at this stage that a Family Liaison officer FLO is assigned to act as a single point of contact SPOC to both support and advise the family and a Senior Investigating Officer SIO will be appointed to investigate and review the circumstances.
Step 2: Checking Last Known Location
Once the police have gathered all available information, they will begin searching the last known location of the missing person. Depending on the circumstances the initial search maybe 300 meters from the last known location of the missing person. Police will also look to thoroughly search home addresses, outbuildings, and gardens, and many initially reported missing children have been found under beds and asleep. They may use search dogs, helicopters, drones, and other resources to aid in the search. They will also search nearby areas such as parks, trails, and waterways. If the missing person is a child or someone who may have been taken against their will, the police may issue an Amber Alert or Silver Alert to help find them.
A Police Search Advisor POLSA and a Police Search Co-Ordinator POLSC will be assigned to coordinate the search and established search strategies will be set.
Step 3: Checking with Hospitals and Morgues
If the missing person is believed to be in danger or has a medical problem, the police will check with local hospitals and morgues to see if the person has been admitted or identified. They will also check with other agencies such as transit authorities and airports to see if the missing person has left the area. Missing patients from hospitals generally tend to be found in the locality or within other areas of the hospital.
Step 4: Searching Other Locations
If the search in the last known location does not yield any results, the police will broaden their search to other areas where the missing person may have gone. This includes checking with friends, relatives, and acquaintances to see if they have seen or heard from the missing person. They may also search other locations such as shopping centres, transportation hubs, and homeless shelters. Police will be checking any areas, particularly in winter, where missing people will try and keep warm, even public toilets should be checked.
Step 5: Utilising Technology
The police may use various technologies to aid in the search for a missing person. For example, they may use surveillance cameras, cell phone tracking, or social media to gather information and locate the person. They may also use drones and other specialized technology to search for the person in difficult or hard-to-reach areas. Police will search with drones and helicopters, but consideration should be used to looking at private industry to explore enhanced levels of technology, such as specialist drone units with high levels of experienceof flying and training in terrain interpretation, thermal and mapping technology can be used. Police and other specialist agencies, such as Fire and Rescue have very limited training and experience in using drones and looking forward such agencies should seek enhanced training to avoid negative responses and media intrusion. The use of drones, when used correctly and in support of the police, can be one of the best options for locating missing persons, particularly in difficult and challenging environments.
Step 6: Alerting the Public
If the search has been unsuccessful, the police may issue a public alert through the media to enlist the help of the public in finding the missing person. They may also hold press conferences and distribute flyers to raise awareness and generate leads. The media including television outlets should be seen as a useful tool in searching for missing persons and a good working relationship with them, particularly if intelligence needs to be held back, can be worthwhile in coordinating any press releases. The Family Liaison Officer FLO will be key in supporting the family during this engagement and what can and cannot be considered.
Step 7: Investigating Leads
If the police receive any tips or leads, they will investigate them to see if they can locate the missing person. They will also continue to gather information and refine their search strategy based on any new information they receive. There will be many pieces of information and intelligence leads that will not be made public for a variety of reasons. During high profile cases, this may appear frustrating to the public, but it is used to both safeguard and support the investigation.
Conclusion:
The search for a missing person is a complex and challenging task that requires a coordinated effort by law enforcement, the public, and other agencies. The police use a combination of resources and strategies to locate a missing person, with the aim ensuring their safe return. During high profile and challenging circumstances, this can often be difficult, as the use of social media and media and response from the public, can detract officers from the primary investigation The steps outlined in this document provide a framework for understanding the search process and the methods used by the police to locate a missing person.
