Missing Persons Response Protocols
1.
1. When you arrive on the scene of a missing persons call, after you have ensured
officer safety, what should you do?
• Determine the type of missing person case and risk
• Attempt to locate the person & Request assistance
• Notify other agencies
• Verify that it is a missing persons case
Answer: Determine the type of missing person case and risk
2. Upon arriving at the location where a missing person was reported, what is the first
step an officer should take to ensure an effective response?
• Immediately search the surrounding area for the missing person
• Establish the reporting location and gather initial information
• Contact local media to issue a public alert
• Request backup from additional law enforcement agencies
Answer: Establish the reporting location and gather initial information
3. Which of the following best describes an individual classified as missing due to a
disability?
• A person of any age who is missing and has a documented physical or mental condition
that poses a risk to their safety.
• A minor child who is unaccounted for and believed to be with a legal guardian.
, • An adult who has voluntarily left their residence without informing anyone.
• A person who is missing but has no known medical or mental health issues.
Answer: A person of any age who is missing and has a documented physical or mental condition
that poses a risk to their safety.
4. Which of the following best describes an individual classified as endangered in the
context of missing persons?
• A person who is missing and believed to be in a safe environment.
• A person of any age whose disappearance suggests that their physical safety is at risk.
• A minor who has run away from home voluntarily.
• An adult who has been missing for over 24 hours without any known threats.
Answer: A person of any age whose disappearance suggests that their physical safety is at risk.
5. A person of any age who is missing under circumstances indicating that the
disappearance may not have been voluntary is:
Answer: Considered to be at risk or abducted.
6. Which of the following best describes a juvenile in the context of missing persons?
• A person under 18 who has been declared emancipated and is missing
• A minor who is missing and has not been declared emancipated, without meeting other
criteria
• An adult who is missing and may have voluntarily left their residence
• A child who is missing but has been reported as voluntarily absent by their guardians
Answer: A minor who is missing and has not been declared emancipated, without meeting other
criteria
, 7. Which of the following best defines a catastrophe victim in the context of missing
persons?
• A person who is missing due to voluntary disappearance
• A person of any age who is unaccounted for following a natural disaster or catastrophic
event
• A minor child who has been abducted from their legal guardian
• An individual who has failed to return from a trip without notifying anyone
Answer: A person of any age who is unaccounted for following a natural disaster or catastrophic
event
8. A High-Risk missing is someone who is:
• A 12-year-old child whose whereabouts are unknown by the person responsible for him
or her
• A 63-year-old person
• A 16-year-old that ran away and is mad at her mother
• A mentally handicapped subject that is a danger to himself or others if not located
Answer: A mentally handicapped subject that is a danger to himself or others if not located
9. When responding to a missing person case, what is the primary action law
enforcement should take regarding the area where the individual was last seen?
• Immediately search the area for the missing person
• Secure and protect the Point Last Seen (PLS) to preserve potential evidence
• Interview witnesses before securing the area
• Move any items that could be evidence to a safe location
Answer: Secure and protect the Point Last Seen (PLS) to preserve potential evidence
1.
1. When you arrive on the scene of a missing persons call, after you have ensured
officer safety, what should you do?
• Determine the type of missing person case and risk
• Attempt to locate the person & Request assistance
• Notify other agencies
• Verify that it is a missing persons case
Answer: Determine the type of missing person case and risk
2. Upon arriving at the location where a missing person was reported, what is the first
step an officer should take to ensure an effective response?
• Immediately search the surrounding area for the missing person
• Establish the reporting location and gather initial information
• Contact local media to issue a public alert
• Request backup from additional law enforcement agencies
Answer: Establish the reporting location and gather initial information
3. Which of the following best describes an individual classified as missing due to a
disability?
• A person of any age who is missing and has a documented physical or mental condition
that poses a risk to their safety.
• A minor child who is unaccounted for and believed to be with a legal guardian.
, • An adult who has voluntarily left their residence without informing anyone.
• A person who is missing but has no known medical or mental health issues.
Answer: A person of any age who is missing and has a documented physical or mental condition
that poses a risk to their safety.
4. Which of the following best describes an individual classified as endangered in the
context of missing persons?
• A person who is missing and believed to be in a safe environment.
• A person of any age whose disappearance suggests that their physical safety is at risk.
• A minor who has run away from home voluntarily.
• An adult who has been missing for over 24 hours without any known threats.
Answer: A person of any age whose disappearance suggests that their physical safety is at risk.
5. A person of any age who is missing under circumstances indicating that the
disappearance may not have been voluntary is:
Answer: Considered to be at risk or abducted.
6. Which of the following best describes a juvenile in the context of missing persons?
• A person under 18 who has been declared emancipated and is missing
• A minor who is missing and has not been declared emancipated, without meeting other
criteria
• An adult who is missing and may have voluntarily left their residence
• A child who is missing but has been reported as voluntarily absent by their guardians
Answer: A minor who is missing and has not been declared emancipated, without meeting other
criteria
, 7. Which of the following best defines a catastrophe victim in the context of missing
persons?
• A person who is missing due to voluntary disappearance
• A person of any age who is unaccounted for following a natural disaster or catastrophic
event
• A minor child who has been abducted from their legal guardian
• An individual who has failed to return from a trip without notifying anyone
Answer: A person of any age who is unaccounted for following a natural disaster or catastrophic
event
8. A High-Risk missing is someone who is:
• A 12-year-old child whose whereabouts are unknown by the person responsible for him
or her
• A 63-year-old person
• A 16-year-old that ran away and is mad at her mother
• A mentally handicapped subject that is a danger to himself or others if not located
Answer: A mentally handicapped subject that is a danger to himself or others if not located
9. When responding to a missing person case, what is the primary action law
enforcement should take regarding the area where the individual was last seen?
• Immediately search the area for the missing person
• Secure and protect the Point Last Seen (PLS) to preserve potential evidence
• Interview witnesses before securing the area
• Move any items that could be evidence to a safe location
Answer: Secure and protect the Point Last Seen (PLS) to preserve potential evidence
