Missing Persons: Challenges and opportunities to improve investigations

The phenomenon of missing persons is a critical issue globally, impacting countless lives and overwhelming police forces and support agencies. Forensic Analytics recently hosted a webinar on the challenges and opportunities in handling missing persons (MISPER) investigations in the UK.

We were delighted to host experts;

• Karen Shalev (Professor in Missing Person Studies)

• Mark Greenhalgh (DCS at Police Digital Service and Locate International CEO)

• Philip Shakesheff (Missing Persons Lead, National Crime Agency) who together have decades of experience in policing, academic research and the third sector

We were pleased that to attendees joined us from across a wide range of sectors and geographies, including many of our existing LEA customers across the world.

A recurrent challenge throughout the session was that law enforcement is overwhelmed with demand with limited resources to handle the investigations. Mark Greenhalgh highlighted that there are an estimated 300,000 annual MISPER (Missing Person) reports, yet budget cuts have resulted in resource constraints, limiting the ability of front-line officers to investigate such a high volume.

Research shows that often there is only the resource to investigate high risk MISPER cases. Additionally, 52% of police forces do not have the resource now to run a dedicated MISPER unit. The complexity of mental health issues often involved in MISPER investigations, combined with 70% of police officers across the UK having less than four years' experience in the role, contributes to the difficulties.

The costs of missing persons investigations are staggering, not only in monetary terms but also in societal impact. Vulnerable individuals, including children from care homes and those with mental health issues, are disproportionately represented. Repeat cases add further strain and highlight more is required to prevent and support these individuals.

However, clear opportunities for improvement were discussed:

1. National Strategy: An updated, national strategy for MISPER investigations is needed to guide a more coordinated and unified approach across agencies. The last strategy was created in 2011.

2. Digital Knowledge: The rise of young officers familiar with digital tools provides an opportunity to leverage technology for more effective and efficient investigations.

3. Public Awareness: Raising awareness about the frequency of missing persons cases is crucial, as the media often focuses only on high-profile, tragic cases.

4. Holistic Review of Policing: A comprehensive review of current policing practices for missing persons is necessary to improve coordination and effectiveness.

5. Third-Sector Support: Mark highlighted how increased collaboration with charities like Locate International and community organisations can alleviate pressure on police resources.

6. Technology Utilisation: Greater use of technology is needed to improve investigations and manage resources more efficiently.

It was incredibly valuable hearing the three panellists share their experiences from different fields of expertise. Whilst all were in agreement around the challenges faced, they each shared different opportunities for change due to their diverse backgrounds. Better communication is key to progress, not just between practitioners across the UK sharing data and communication but also between practitioners and academics.

The challenges of missing persons investigations are daunting, but the opportunities for improvement are equally significant. By embracing innovation, fostering collaboration, and advocating for systemic change, we can transform the way these cases are handled—ensuring better outcomes for individuals, families, and communities.

Technology offers immense potential to revolutionise the field. From advanced analytics to user-friendly mobile applications, digital tools can reduce the burden on police forces while improving outcomes for missing persons and their families.

Forensic Analytics looks forward to the release of CSAS Find, our first CSAS solution set to revolutionise missing persons searches across desktop, tablet and mobile. It empowers officers to work more efficiently in missing and wanted persons investigations, saving forces time and money.

You can access the full recording of the webinar here. 

To find out more about Forensic Analytics and our approach in the MISPER space, contact us.