Practical steps in dealing with a Missing Person Situation
“In America there is a three hour period in which one must find a kid that has been kidnapped, otherwise you must start looking for the body.”
- Deputy Attorney General Eric H. Holder, August 2000 -
INTRODUCTION
There are two essential elements which will affect the eventual outcome of a missing person investigation, namely:
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Initiating an investigation both formally and informally immediately upon discovering that the person is missing.
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As time lapses the investigation becomes more and more difficult, which could negatively influence the eventual outcome.
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The immediate availability of detailed and accurate information regarding the missing person. A concise summary of all relevant information as contained in the ID-a-KID Kit information card will prove to be of infinite value when filing a missing persons report.
PRE-EMPTIVE STEPS EACH PARENT SHOULD TAKE
Experience has shown that a large number of parents, in particular those of teenagers, have no knowledge of their children’s whereabouts and as such cannot assist the investigator in defining a possible geographical location or chronological time frame.
The following actions should be common practice in a household, as this information will prove to be invaluable should a child be missing.
- Know where your child will be, and with whom he/she will be with
- Have contact details, including telephone numbers and addresses, of your child’s friends and their parents
- Know how your child will be transported
- Know what time your child will return
WHEN AND WHERE TO REPORT A MISSING PERSON
WHEN?
There is NO minimum waiting period in reporting a missing person. It is a fallacy that 24 hours must have elapsed prior to a person being reported as missing. As stated above, the sooner a report is made the more likely it is that the person can be found.
WHERE?
A person can be reported missing at the Client Service Centre of any South African Police Service station. It is, however, preferable to report it in the area where the person has gone missing, as the investigator will be familiar with the area and local conditions.
WHAT ACTIONS TO TAKE UPON BEING SURE THE PERSON IS MISSING
Both the informal and formal route should be followed.
INFORMAL
Telephonically supply all local security companies with a description of the missing person. These companies have a large number of vehicles in the area, thus improving the possibility of spotting the missing person.
Telephonically inform the local Metro Police Department and request that the description of the missing person be relayed to their vehicles.
Leave your contact details with your local hospitals, clinics and doctors’ rooms in order that you can be contacted should a patient fitting the description of the missing person be dealt with.
FORMAL
Take all relevant information, as well as a recent photograph of the person, to the Client Service Centre of the nearest SAPS station. Having all information in the ID-a-Kid Complete kit will prove invaluable. You will be emotionally upset, and in the confusion it is likely that you forget a valuable piece of information, should you not have an ID-a-Kid Complete Kit.
Upon arrival, request that a SAPS 55(A) “MISSING / UNIDENTIFIED PERSON” form be completed. This 12 page booklet requires a detailed description of the various physical characteristics of the missing person, as well as circumstantial information in respect of this person. One is also required to attach a photograph to this form.
If you suspect that the disappearance may be the result of a criminal act, it will be necessary to open a Crime Investigation Docket in addition to the SAPS 55(A).
Do not accept that an Occurrence Book entry is sufficient. You are not merely providing information to the police, but in fact require an official investigation.
As part of the SAPS 55(A) form, you will be required to complete and sign an ”ACCEPTANCE OF LIABILITY” document in which you authorize aspects of the investigation and commit yourself to informing the investigating officer should the missing person be found.
Request a reference number or circulation number, as well as the name and telephone number of the investigator who will be dealing with the matter.
POST REPORTING ACTIONS
The missing person’s details will be circulated on the SAPS computer network, and will also be placed on the database of the National Bureau of Missing Persons (“NBMP”)
The contact details of the Johannesburg office of the NBMP is :
Postal address: P.O. Box 58452, Newville, 2114
Telephone: 011 670-6316
CONCLUSION
The following are the key factors in the finding of a missing person :
§ Speedy action in reporting
§ Complete and accurate information
§ Co-operation by all role players
Please note, for any questions relating to this article you are welcome to contact Mr Colin McDonald - Chairperson Edenvale Community Police forum - (082 852 1113) or (011-974 8764)