How to Investigate Lost Children

How To...

AMAURY MURGADO

HOW TO INVESTIGATE LOST CHILDREN Knowing how kids of different ages behave can help you know where and how to look for them.

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FIRST THINGS FIRST

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here are basically five ways children go missing: abduction by a parent, kidnapping and ransom, runaway children, predator abduction, or unexplained disappearance. Until you figure out what you have, each investigation starts off with the premise that the child has gone missing by wandering off somewhere.

This article will cover common aspects of a lost child in order to help an officer with the initial investigation.

Check with dispatch for any call history and any useful patterns.

Ask for backup early for your initial search and obtaining information. Notify your supervisor.

Start thinking about the quesChildren ages 3 to 6 understand the concept of being lost and may attempt to return home or to a familiar place, but they tend to keep going in one direction. tions you need to ask. Consider that you might be heading into a crime scene. Limit access and establish a command post As children get older (ages 3 to 6), they begin to develop and an initial staging area, even if it's just located near your the concept of being lost and will attempt to return home or vehicle. Pay close attention while driving in case you spot to a familiar place. They will follow tracks, trails, and short the child or identify areas you want to search later. cuts not noticeable to adults. They may panic and become more lost as they don't understand the concept of turning UNDERSTANDING MISSING CHILDREN BEHAVIOR around so they tend to keep going in one direction. They are Studies show that children behave alike when they get lost. more mobile and cover more distance than younger chilUnderstanding some common behavior will help you get or- dren. They may be drawn away by animals, older children, ganized and establish priorities. or exploration. When tired, they will look for a sleeping spot.

Children up to three years of age are unaware of the con- They pay more attention to instructions to stay away from cept of being lost. They have little or no navigational skills. strangers so they may not respond or might hide when they They don't have a sense of direction and tend to wander aim- see you coming. lessly. However, they tend to have good survival instincts Children between the ages of seven and 12 are more adand often seek shelter. They may lie down and go to sleep venturous. They may have wandered up to five miles away under thick brush, inside a log, or under a picnic table. even though their navigational and direction skills are more

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How To developed. They are more likely to try to find themselves (self-rescue), which can result in trail running. This characteristic can take them farther from their last known point. They become confused in strange environments.

If children have run away to gain attention or avoid punishment, they will sometimes not respond when called. Darkness may work in your favor as it usually brings on a willingness to accept help. Once this group realizes they are lost, they can become upset and confused.

Much like adults, they can develop feelings of helplessness.

who saw the child, observed someone hanging around the area, or who remember an out-of-place vehicle.

As more units arrive, organization is critical. You need to assign specific areas for officers to search. They need to document every address and person they

to notify your version of a missing persons crime unit or an outside agency to take over.

How long you continue the search will depend in part on your geographic area and your chain of command. A search of a gated residential community just outside a city will be handled differently than a heavily wooded rural area with few homes. Make sure that when you are relieved, it's indicated in your report as to when, by whom, and how.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Having knowledge of how lost

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persons behave is invaluable.

The book "Lost Person Behavior: A Search and Rescue Guide BOOTS ON THE GROUND on Where to Look – for Land, Air Ask questions to establish a and Water" by Robert J. Koester baseline. For example, ask if the is a great reference. child is afraid of the dark, how In 2015, The Department of they respond to strangers, if they Homeland Security Science and have been coached in what to do Technology Directorate First when lost, and what is the best If children have run away to gain attention or avoid Responders Group released a way to get them to respond. Do punishment, they will sometimes not respond when called. mobile app that provides stepthey have any playmates, favorite play areas, or have they paid attention speak with. Assign a few roving patrols to by-step instructions on search plans for to anything that would draw them away? go check specific roads, trails, parks, or first responders and response teams. It Other questions involve ruling out any out- other points of interest based on your in- provides search guidance, protocols, side influences that could be responsible terviews. If your initial search doesn't find and strategies used by search and rescue for the child's disappearance. Is there an the child, you may have to reach out for teams around the nation. The Lost Person Behavior mobile app is available to downestranged parent? Is there a custody battle? other resources.

Are there any jealous grandparents?

At some point you may have to consider load (for a fee) from Apple iTunes, Google Get an updated description of the child bringing in K-9 and aviation units. You Play, and Amazon.com. At the time of this to include what they were last wearing, may need additional volunteers. Don't writing, it was last updated in January of their current health status, and anything discount the Civil Air Patrol, which has a 2016.

Reading up on case studies, methods, useful to those who are looking. Put out built-in search and rescue function; civiland procedures found on the internet that information over your radio ASAP. ian search and rescue organizations; and The complainant is probably going to even police academy cadets. Think out- will also help. Having knowledge of the tell you they have searched everywhere. side of the box when it comes to finding area you work in is also a must. I have found more than my fair share of missing You need to acknowledge their efforts ways to expand your resources. children fast asleep in parks, culverts, or and then conduct your own search. I have playhouses that I knew were nearby. My cleared many a missing juvenile by find- WINDING DOWN ing them hiding in the same area the par- If you find the child, write a detailed re- best advice is to get organized as quickly ents said they searched. port. It helps the next officer if the child as possible because wasting time is never If you don't find the child in the area of goes missing again. If you made an arrest, a good thing when dealing with missing the point last seen, you need to expand be very specific as to why. If you observed children. your search in a number of ways. You can any questionable living conditions, you conduct a crime scene search where the may have to get other agencies involved. Amaury Murgado retired a senior lieutenchild was last seen, go door-to-door, or Realize that sometimes, the follow-up is ant from the Osceola County (FL) Sheriff's structure a grid search. In some cases, a more extensive than the original call.

Office with over 29 years of experience. He roadblock search is warranted. Because If you didn't find the child, the search also retired from the Army Reserve as a people are creatures of habit and tend to continues. As a first responder you have master sergeant. He holds a Master of Potake the same route each day, roadblock certain duties and limited resources at litical Science degree from the University of searches sometimes produce witnesses your disposal. At some point you will have Central Florida.

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