How the actions of first responders and the investigators charged with the initial response to a report of a missing or abducted child have a profound impact on the victim’s family. This module brings a family member’s observations and perspective as to what they experienced and observed in the opening minutes and hours of a missing child investigation. By learning about the family members’ emotions and experiences as the investigation unfolds, law enforcement will be able to craft a more effective level of communication with the family and pursue a more effective initial response.

Participants will receive information regarding incident types, victim and family risk factors, offender behaviors and incident timelines in order to effectively utilize concrete, operational response tactics aligned to the complex dynamics of missing and abducted child cases. Federal statutes which apply to missing child incidents will be outlined, with explanation of how these mandates affect the processes first responders execute. The AMBER Alert’s function as a mechanism for rapid public notification, and how these alerts support the foundational enforcement and investigative processes undertaken by law enforcement, will be discussed.

How the first responder reacts and the actions he or she takes when notified of a missing or abducted child can have a profound impact of the recovery of the child and the solvability of the case. This module explores the appropriate and necessary steps for the first responder when notified of a missing child case. Case study examples will be used to cause and effect the first responder actions in working these cases.

Students will learn how to initially manage mobile devices and how to initiate and manage emergency disclosure requests through mobile network and related content providers. Additional information will include properly preserving computers and external storage devices. This will include vehicle information systems, GPS navigation, toll transponders, automated license plate readers in both the law enforcement and private sector, commercial fleet data and other sources and information that may aid in geo-locating a target mobile device. Important resources for identifying and contacting digital service network and content providers and best practice language for emergency disclosure requests, preservation requests, subpoenas, affidavits, and search warrants will be provided.

Being able to assess the circumstances surrounding a missing or abducted child report, and then being able to quickly and effectively deploy available personnel in the initial response sets the stage for all that follows. This module deals with the responsibilities of the first supervisor on scene. What they need to know to make good decisions will be discussed as well as initial investigative strategies that have significant probabilities will be discussed.

This module will focus on many legal issues affecting the search for, and investigation of cases involving missing children. Among the topics that will be discussed are recurring Fourth Amendment issues (emergency aid doctrine, the exigent circumstances doctrine, as well as more recent developments impacting the use of tracking devices and other technology), and Fifth Amendment issues including recent cases defining the scope of Miranda and revolving around the application of the Public Safety Exception

Students will learn about the mechanics of conducting various types of searches. Topics will include strategies for determining search areas, assigning search responsibilities, search team make-up, use of volunteers and search tactics including documenting search activities. Additionally, the use of tactical man tracking methods and K-9 techniques will be discussed. Attention will be paid to the benefits of having an organized search team or at least a detailed pre plan of emergency actions to be taken for search and tracking in the event of an abducted child. Resources that apply to search teams will be included.

Students will break down into teams utilizing ICS principals. Given specific scenario facts, students will establish a Search/Canvass command post, assign individuals responsibilities and develop a search and canvass plan to respond to the continuing abduction scenario. Based on scenario input, team will expand their search and canvass activities. Student’s teams will react to input from the scenario proctor(s) and will provide feedback for class discussion on the actions that they would take during the investigation.

Methods and organization of information for effective investigator briefing by first- responding officers will be discussed. Participants will be taken through a consideration of the elements of written reporting, and discuss how this written reporting by first-responding officers forms the bedrock of case integrity and must be highly detailed and exceptionally accurate.