A missing person is an individual whose whereabouts are unknown and where there is some concern for his or her wellbeing. In the UK, around 250,000 people are reported missing every year, with the majority being children under the age of 18. Despite the fact that missing persons are a social phenomenon which encompasses vast areas of interest, relatively little is known about those who go missing, what happens to them while they are missing, and what can be done to prevent these incidents from occurring. This groundbreaking book brings together for the first time ideas and expertise across this vast subject area into one interconnected publication. It explores the subjects of missing children, missing adults, the investigative process of missing person cases, and the families of missing persons. Those with no prior knowledge or professionals with focused knowledge in some areas will be able to expand their understanding of a variety of topics relevant to this field through detailed chapters which advance our understanding of this complex phenomenon, discuss what is unknown, and suggest the best and most important steps forward to further advance our knowledge.

Many crime shows and movies deal with the topic of a mysterious disappearance, but fictional stories often sensationalize the topic in order to catch the viewer's interest. In reality, finding a missing person can be hard work for detectives, as there are sometimes few clues left behind. Readers discover how police use math and science to solve this puzzle. Full-color photographs, informative sidebars, and by-the-numbers fact boxes augment the compelling text, giving readers a more accurate understanding of the process of searching for missing persons than they will find on television or at the movies.

This brief discusses the significant contribution of police search and rescue to the successful location and resolution of missing persons cases. Across seven chapters, this volume offers a detailed examination of the routine practices of police search and rescue personnel. To do so, it draws from a collection of data, including in-depth interviews with police and thousands of different types of missing persons records. Laced with the stories of missing persons, it presents a detailed overview of what these teams do, the processes and procedures employed, and the tools and technologies in police search and rescue. It explores some of the challenges impacting police search and rescue response, emphasizing how to leverage this work in the field. This book also identifies future trends to address the “What may be next” question in the police search and rescue response to missing persons. As the first analysis of the role of police in search and rescue missions, this brief is of interest to law enforcement professionals and researchers of policing, policymakers, and professionals in psychology, criminology, sociology, and beyond

Considers legislation to revise DOD authority to change status of or continue benefits to Federal employees missing during defense-related missions and to meet needs of their dependents; and to authorize pay for Philippine Scouts during period of capture by Japanese during WWII.