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What is a significant reason why missing person investigations should be prioritized?
What is a significant reason why missing person investigations should be prioritized?
Which group is reported to have a notable frequency of going missing according to the data?
Which group is reported to have a notable frequency of going missing according to the data?
What does the missing person definition highlight as a risk factor?
What does the missing person definition highlight as a risk factor?
What might be an indicator that a person has gone missing due to external factors?
What might be an indicator that a person has gone missing due to external factors?
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How are voluntary missing persons typically characterized?
How are voluntary missing persons typically characterized?
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In the context of missing persons, what does 'third party involvement' include?
In the context of missing persons, what does 'third party involvement' include?
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What is the average number of missing person reports handled daily by the PSNI?
What is the average number of missing person reports handled daily by the PSNI?
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Which of the following reasons does NOT typically contribute to a person going missing?
Which of the following reasons does NOT typically contribute to a person going missing?
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What defines Matthew as a missing person?
What defines Matthew as a missing person?
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Why is Victor considered a high risk missing person?
Why is Victor considered a high risk missing person?
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What is the age range defined as a child in relation to the missing persons guidelines?
What is the age range defined as a child in relation to the missing persons guidelines?
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What indicates that Matthew is classified as medium risk?
What indicates that Matthew is classified as medium risk?
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What does 'looked after child' imply in the context provided?
What does 'looked after child' imply in the context provided?
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What action will PSNI take upon a report of a child missing from care?
What action will PSNI take upon a report of a child missing from care?
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How is the risk level categorized for missing persons like Victor?
How is the risk level categorized for missing persons like Victor?
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What does the Emergency Protection Order protect?
What does the Emergency Protection Order protect?
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How does the timeliness of reporting a missing person affect police response?
How does the timeliness of reporting a missing person affect police response?
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What is required before publicly sharing information about a missing person?
What is required before publicly sharing information about a missing person?
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What should be done when a missing person is located?
What should be done when a missing person is located?
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What role does social media play in investigations of missing persons?
What role does social media play in investigations of missing persons?
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What is one of the key considerations when planning a search around the Last Known Point (LKP)?
What is one of the key considerations when planning a search around the Last Known Point (LKP)?
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What action must be taken when dealing with inappropriate comments on social media posts related to missing persons?
What action must be taken when dealing with inappropriate comments on social media posts related to missing persons?
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Why is engaging building management important during a search?
Why is engaging building management important during a search?
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What should the first officer at a missing person report do?
What should the first officer at a missing person report do?
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What feature should officers consider while searching for missing persons?
What feature should officers consider while searching for missing persons?
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What should officers do if areas within buildings cannot be accessed during the search?
What should officers do if areas within buildings cannot be accessed during the search?
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How must a decision to publicize a case of a child or young missing person be approached?
How must a decision to publicize a case of a child or young missing person be approached?
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Which factor could influence the decision to publicize the case of a missing person?
Which factor could influence the decision to publicize the case of a missing person?
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Which of the following is an important checklist consideration when looking for a missing person?
Which of the following is an important checklist consideration when looking for a missing person?
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What should officers especially check if the missing person has dementia?
What should officers especially check if the missing person has dementia?
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What should be included in the description of the missing person?
What should be included in the description of the missing person?
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What areas are specifically mentioned as places where officers should identify potential attractions for the missing person?
What areas are specifically mentioned as places where officers should identify potential attractions for the missing person?
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Why is it important for the telephone number provided for the public to report sightings to be adequately staffed?
Why is it important for the telephone number provided for the public to report sightings to be adequately staffed?
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What must be reviewed by the duty Sergeant upon the return of a missing person?
What must be reviewed by the duty Sergeant upon the return of a missing person?
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What is one of the purposes of conducting a prevention interview after a missing person's return?
What is one of the purposes of conducting a prevention interview after a missing person's return?
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Which group of individuals is particularly relevant for safeguarding considerations during the missing person's return process?
Which group of individuals is particularly relevant for safeguarding considerations during the missing person's return process?
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What should officers evaluate regarding the place where a missing person is returning?
What should officers evaluate regarding the place where a missing person is returning?
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What key learning point must police officers keep in mind while handling missing persons' investigations?
What key learning point must police officers keep in mind while handling missing persons' investigations?
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Why is the concept of safeguarding crucially important in missing person cases?
Why is the concept of safeguarding crucially important in missing person cases?
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What is one of the responsibilities of the investigating officers following a missing person's return?
What is one of the responsibilities of the investigating officers following a missing person's return?
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Study Notes
Missing Person Investigation
- Missing person investigations are high-risk and require priority and resources.
- A missing person report could be the initial stage of a serious crime investigation, safeguarding issue, or indicate other issues.
- Incidents involving missing people may uncover criminal behavior against vulnerable individuals.
- In the financial year of 2023, PSNI handled 5,258 missing person reports, a decrease of 17.2% compared to the previous year.
- Everyday, approximately 35 missing person reports are filed with the PSNI, costing an estimated £36.5 million.
Reasons for Going Missing
- Individuals may go missing for various reasons, categorized as:
- Voluntarily missing: running away, mental health issues, relationship problems, financial issues, seeking asylum.
- Lost: individuals with dementia, or backpacking.
- Accident, illness, or injury.
- Third-party involvement: hit-and-run accidents, abduction, murder, human trafficking.
Missing Person Definition
- A missing person is defined as someone whose whereabouts cannot be established and whose circumstances are out of character.
- In the case of a missing person, it is also important to consider whether the person may be a victim of a crime or at risk of harming themselves or others.
Risk Assessment
- Based on the circumstances, a missing person is classified as medium or high risk.
- Medium risk: indicates a significant threat to the individual, but the risk is not immediate.
- High risk: substantial grounds for believing the individual is in danger, with real and immediate risk.
Missing Children (Runaway and Missing from Home and Care)
- The PSNI will take action on all reports of missing children from care.
- Definition of "child" includes individuals under 18 years of age, and in some cases, individuals under 19 years of age with special needs.
- "Care" refers to children and young people under the supervision of a HSC Trust, subject to a Care Order, or subject to an Emergency Protection Order, Police Protection, or Care Order to another Authority.
- The urgency of the police response to a missing child can vary depending on the elapsed time since the child's disappearance.
Missing Persons and Use of Social Media
- The PSNI uses local district social media to publish information about missing persons, generally with the consent of the missing person's relatives.
- Publication of missing persons can be done without relatives' consent if a decision is made in consideration of the Human Rights Act and is undertaken proportionately in the best interests of the missing person's welfare.
- Cases involving missing children or young people from care should be published in consultation with Social Services and with prior warning to parents/carers.
- Social media can be a valuable resource in missing person investigations, and the investigating officer (IO) is responsible for monitoring public comments and posts.
- When a missing person is located, the original post containing their information and photograph must be deleted, and an update post must be published.
Search and Evidence Gathering
- The first officer attending a missing person report is responsible for conducting a search of the person's address and other relevant locations.
- A thorough search of approximately 300 meters from the last known location (LKP) should be conducted, including buildings, roads, paths, streams, rivers, and any other linear features.
- Identify "decision points" where the missing person may have deviated from their path, and generate further search lines from these points.
- Consider the zone of travel, taking into account the missing person's mobility and access to transportation.
Missing Person Checklist/Considerations
- Secure a full description of the missing person, including a photograph.
- Gather local intelligence.
- Conduct a thorough search of the home address and garden, including outbuildings.
- Check for notes, diaries, or social media accounts that may offer clues.
- If the missing person has dementia, investigate their previous work and home locations.
- Conduct house-to-house inquiries and search other relevant premises.
- Check CCTV footage.
- Staff telephone numbers provided for public information adequately to manage the volume of calls.
Prevention Interviews and Return and Closure of Missing Person Report/Investigation
- Police officers have an obligation to protect life and investigate any offenses that come to light during missing person investigations.
- Upon the return of a missing person, the duty sergeant must review the missing person report and ensure it can be closed.
- The investigating officer (IO) must update the Criminal Management System (CMS) with the found location of the missing person.
- Prevention interviews are conducted to understand the factors leading to the missing episode, prevent future incidents, gather intelligence, and identify potential risks or victims.
- During the return process, officers must consider safeguarding issues, particularly for children and vulnerable adults, determining if the missing episode is a potential indicator of abuse or neglect.
- Ensure the location to which the missing person has returned is appropriate and poses no risk of significant harm.
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Description
Discover the critical aspects of missing person investigations, including various categories of individuals who go missing and the resources allocated to handle these cases. This quiz sheds light on the financial implications and the serious nature of locating missing persons in today's society.
