NCJ Number
227279
Journal
International Journal of Police Science and Management Volume: 11 Issue: 2 Dated: Summer 2009 Pages: 123-129
Date Published
2009
Length
7 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the need to improve the understanding of where people go when they go missing and its applications for policing policy.
Abstract
In exploring the demographic background of 70 missing persons, the results were similar to previous findings with the majority of people who went missing were male. In examining missing persons' spatial behavior, it was found that a similar number of people who returned home were also found abroad. Also, the majority of those who did not return to the location of their departure but remained in the United Kingdom were found within its local vicinity. Learning more about the whereabouts and travel habits of missing persons will enable police to link the distances which persons travel or the mode of transportation to their demographic background. A statistical estimate of likely search areas will be possible to assess fairly quickly. This paper put forth the argument for using spatial behavior of missing persons. It used a pilot study of 70 vulnerable adults who went missing as an example for the use of this type of analysis. The study describes the missing person population, identifies distances which adult missing persons traveled, and recommends some changes to policy. The identification of spatial behavior patterns is highly important as the information may be used by police forces to identify likely search areas, helping reach missing persons before they suffer any physical harm or harm themselves and saving valuable policing resources. Tables and references