Police risk assessment and case outcomes in missing person investigations

Phoenix, Jessica and Francis, Brian (2023) Police risk assessment and case outcomes in missing person investigations. The Police Journal: Theory, Practice and Principles, 96 (3). pp. 390-410.

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Abstract

In England and Wales, police consider potential harm in missing person investigations using graded risk assessment. Using 4746 missing person reports made to one police force in 2015, we investigate the extent to which age, sex and police risk factors predict high-risk classifications and harmful case outcomes. We find age, sex and specific risk factors including out of character behaviour and suicide risk increased the likelihood of high-risk classifications, whilst other risk factors including physical/mental illness and drug/alcohol misuse increased the likelihood of harmful outcomes. We also find certain risk factors reduced the likelihood of high-risk classifications and harmful outcomes.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
The Police Journal: Theory, Practice and Principles
Uncontrolled Keywords:
Data Sharing Template/no
Subjects:
?? missing personsrisk assessmentpolicingvulnerabilityharmno ??
ID Code:
169477
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
28 Apr 2022 15:10
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
17 Dec 2023 01:56