Missing Persons

Question 1

Risk categories for missing persons

Answer 1

Low - risk of harm to person or public is minimal
Medium - risk of harm to person or public is likely but not serious
Hight - risk of harm to person or public is very likely

Question 2

Personal risk factors for missing persons

Answer 2

• Age
• Physical disability
• Mental health problems
• Do they require essential medication not likely to be available to them
• Addiction dependence
  Belief that they may not have the ability to interact safely with others in an unknown environment

Question 3

Circumstances relating to the disappearance of a missing person

Answer 3

• Out of character behaviour
• Suspected to be the victim of a significant crime in progress – abduction
• Indication they are likely to commit suicide
• Reason for the person to go missing
• Indications that preparations have been made for the person’s absence
• Time passed between the person going missing and it being reported
• What was the person intending to do when last seen (for example, going to the shops or catching a bus), and did they fail to complete their intentions
• Weather conditions can present risk

Question 4

NOT a missing person if:

Answer 4

• Wanted (evading custody/courts) - unless minor offence (shoplifting) so treated as missing
• Trying to trace a long-lost relative
• Homelessness
• Those playing truant from school
• Asylum seekers - unless risk suggests they should
• Mental health AWOL patients unless risk is immediate
• Been abducted

Question 5

Prevention interview for a missing person

Answer 5

• Need before closing case
• Ensures wellbeing
• Face to face
• Within 24 hours or 1 hour for high risk

Question 6

Non-disclose of whereabouts for missing persons

Answer 6

If they request that their location is not to be disclosed to the family or informant then police should not disclose.

Adult with no vulnerabilities

Right under Article 8 ECHR to a private life.

Record on MERLIN location not to be disclosed so you don’t breach ECHR

Question 7

Missing persons - Textsafe

Answer 7

Send a message to the missing person’s phone and asks them to make contact. This could lead to an early resolution.

Question 8

Search a property in relation to missing persons

Answer 8

Need their consent (would also search out buildings and loft)

Initial search for the person (so cant search draws etc), later search for information on whereabouts so can look in drawers etc.

If they refuse to give consent, record in pocket notebook

Question 9

Missing persons - Herbert Protocols

Answer 9

National scheme that encourages carers, family and friends to put together useful information which can be used in the event of a vulnerable person going missing