High risk? attitudes to the risk assessment process in missing person investigations

The aim of this study is to critically evaluate the attitudes of police sergeants to the initial risk assessment process in a missing person investigation. The assessment of risk, in the early stages of a missing person investigation, is used as a catalyst for the investigative activity that follows. An incident that is deemed to be high risk will attract significant resources, intensive supervision and substantial oversight from senior officers. Incidents carrying lower risk will not receive the same levels of attention. The appropriate determination of risk, at the earliest possible stage, is therefore essential for effective deployment of resources and a successful outcome of the investigation.