Abstract
To date, limited systematic focus has been directed to examining factors that influence the spatial behaviour of missing people. Accordingly, this study examined whether demographic and behavioural factors were related to distance between missing and found locations in 16,454 archival cases of missing reports from two UK police forces. Findings from ordinal regressions showed that children were more likely to be found at further distances if they were deemed to be at high or medium risk of coming to harm but less likely to be located further away when victims of a violent attack. Adults were more likely to be found at further distances if planning behaviours were present (e.g. had taken their passport), but less likely to if they were above the age of 65 years or suffering from abuse. Findings indicate the role of age, planning and vulnerability on travel when missing. Implications for search strategies and directions for future research are considered.
Highlights
In 2019 and 2020, police forces in England and Wales reported 325,171 missing incidents (2% increase on 2018 and 2019; National Crime Agency, 2021)
It may be that other types of modelling are more appropriate, or that other demographic and behavioural factors may play a role in influencing this relationship
One such study has been carried out in the missing domain (Stevens et al, 2019); here, we found that a quadratic function was the most appropriate way to model the spatial behaviour of missing females who were at risk of suicide
Summary
In 2019 and 2020, police forces in England and Wales reported 325,171 missing incidents (2% increase on 2018 and 2019; National Crime Agency, 2021). Examining 16,454 archival cases of missing children and adults reported to two UK police forces, we test whether demographic (e.g. age, gender) and behavioural (e.g. planning, antecedent vulnerabilities, missing history) factors influence the distance between where people go missing from and where they are found. This will allow arguments to be put forward regarding how missing people may make travel decisions while missing and how factors such as impulsivity might influence these decisions. Findings will be beneficial for informing police search strategies and broadening understanding of the processes that govern spatial behaviour
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