MISSING PERSONS INVESTIGATIONS 13.16
13.16.1 PURPOSE
A. The purpose of this policy is to establish responsibilities and guidelines for the investigation of missing persons.
A. It shall be the policy of the Gresham Police Department to investigate all missing person reports. This agency considers every person reported as missing to be “at risk” until information to the contrary is established.
1. An adult may be declared missing when his or her whereabouts are unknown and unexplainable for a period of time that is regarded by knowledgeable persons as highly unusual or suspicious in consideration of the subject’s behavior patterns, plans, or routines.
2. Immediately upon notification by a parent, guardian or other responsible person that a child’s whereabouts are unknown, that child shall be treated as a missing person.
13.16.3 DEFINITIONS
A. The term “missing adult” includes a person who is:
B. The term “missing child” includes a person who is:
C. The term “unusual circumstances” refers to:
1. A missing child 13 years of age or younger.
2. A child or an adult who is missing and believed to be in one or more of
the following circumstances:
a. Out of the zone of safety for his/her age and physical and mental condition; and/or
and/or
shall be taken:
the report of a missing child or adult, the person will be considered at-risk.
including the Amber Alert system should be activated.
D. The term “Initial Responder” as utilized in this procedure means first officer at the scene of an reported missing person.
13.16.4 PROCEDURES
A. Initial Responder Responsibilities - The initial responder assigned to the report of a missing person shall be responsible for:
seen.
missing person.
physical and mental state.
Protective Services should be notified.
information if determined to be an abduction.
Communications for broadcast updates.
telephone, and/or a pager.
completed and the appropriate computer entries made in state and national
databases, i.e. NCIC.
missing person shall be responsible for:
in the investigation.
person shall be responsible for:
investigations. The Lead Investigator should maintain routine contact with the missing person’s closest relative(s) or other designated person concerning the progress of the investigation.
E. If a missing person has not been located within 30 days, the Lead Investigator should attempt to obtain a DNA sample. Additionally, if not already available, an attempt should be made to obtain the doctor and dentist’s names and contact numbers (see Appendix B).
the subject of a missing person investigation.
permissible, the whereabouts and contact information of the person located.
additional resources.
or other violation, the child should be returned to his parent, guardian, or appropriate children’s facility.
13.16.5 RECOVERY OF MISSING CHILDREN
questioning of the child should be completed by CARES before s/he is reunited with the family.
child shall be notified in a timely manner.
previously contacted for assistance will be notified and updated.
medical and dental information for the purpose of identifying missing persons and to enter such information in files maintained for that purpose. ORS 146.184 requires dentists, denturists, physicians, optometrists and/or other medical practitioners to provide appropriate medical and dental information when requested in writing by a police agency.
D. Upon return of the medical and dental information, the Lead Investigator will forward a copy to the Records Section for required data entry.
must be matched to DNA known to be from the victim or the victim’s relatives. Thus, it is necessary to collect DNA samples from family members and from personal items or prior medical specimens from the victim.
C. GPD detectives may utilize the mitochondrial DNA analysis capabilities of the University of North Texas laboratory. DNA collection kits are available through the Property Room.
Craig Junginger
Chief of Police
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