Missing Persons

Question 1

When deal with the missing persons case, remember to

Answer 1

• gather all the relevant info
• pay attention to detail
• assess posible risks to the person

Question 2

A missing person is

Answer 2

Any person who is reported missing to police and

• whereabouts are unknown
• fears for the safety/welfare

Question 3

When deciding whether there are fears of safety, you should consider

Answer 3

1) Age
2) Zones of safety
3) Circumstances

Question 4

When you are establishing concerns for welfare, you should consider

Answer 4

1) Age
2) Circumstances
3) Influences, e.g. drugs, gangs, alcohol

Question 5

Categories of missing persons

Answer 5

1. voluntary, e.g. runaways
2. involuntary, e.g. kidnapping
3. lost due to event, e.g. lost at sea
4. missing overseas

Question 6

The following information on missing person should be obtained:

Answer 6

• physical appearance
• state of health - physical and mental
• doctor and dentist
• bank accounts
• passport and IRD numbers
• occupation

Question 7

Additional missing person’s details that should be asked

Answer 7

• when/where last seen
• what was wearing
• names of friends/associates
• possible reasons for the disappearance
• photographs

Question 8

Pol 61 - Risk Assessment

Answer 8

1) Urgent response required - consult your supervisor immediately
2) Routine response required - file should be submitted prior the end of your shift

Question 9

Possible lines of enquiry:

Answer 9

1) home visit
2) search
3) media broadcasts
4) consultation with CIB

Question 10

A police dog would be called

Answer 10

to search in:

• local bush/scrub areas
• streams/waterways/beaches
• old abandoned buildings
• beneath houses
• large parks/playgrounds

Question 11

A police dog squad usually used when

Answer 11

it is known where the person was last and the area is not contaminated.

Question 12

The area where the missing person was seen last is called

Answer 12

last point of sight.

Question 13

The best time for tracking the person with a dog is

Answer 13

within 30 mins of the last sighting.

Question 14

The dog tracks the scent left by a person that made up of

Answer 14

• body odour
• crushed foliage/insect life
• fragments of rubber from the person’s footwear

Question 15

Case management

Answer 15

After three days:

1) Contact the family to check if the missing person came back
2) Complete Part B of the Pol 62
3) Discuss the case with CIB if no progress has been made
4) A record to be made in NIA

After 14 days:
The same as above, plus
- ensure that full description has been entered in NIA and photograph has ben obtained

After 30 days:
The same as above, plus
- consider media release, profiling on MPU webpage and Facebook

After 90 days
The same as the above plus
- more media releases
- update info with bank and phone records
- forensic evidence

After a year
The same as above plus
- send a file to CIB for review
- consider completing a report to the Coroner
- make sure that DNA samples, dental records, optical records and medical history have been obtained
- DNA samples to be send to ESR for analysis and details to be stored in the ESR Missing Person database.

Question 16

If the missing person is located

Answer 16

• enter the details of the place and circumstances in which the person was founds.
• intervene the person
• if it is a child, consider CYFS referal
• reason for going missing in NIA
• remove the alert from NIA and media
• advise the family
• Update the Missing Person Report