When a person goes missing it can be a very frightening time for loved ones and friends. People can disappear for a variety of reasons and some cases may be very difficult to investigate, especially if they are gone for a long period of time.
The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) defines a missing person as “anyone whose whereabouts cannot be established whether their welfare is known to be at risk or not.”
It is important that if someone you know is missing that you contact the authorities as soon as possible. This is because with time, evidence can disappear, witness information can deteriorate and the safety of the missing person could become a serious issue.
If you are reporting a missing person, be sure to give as much detail as possible such as clothing they were last wearing, any tattoos or marks on the body, the time they went missing and where they were likely to be. It is also advisable to search their social media accounts such as Facebook and Twitter in case they have posted any clues.
If the person is missing abroad it can be more difficult to locate them as the investigation will generally fall under the remit of the country they disappeared in rather than their home jurisdiction. However, there are organisations that specialise in dealing with these types of cases and they can help and support family members.
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