Mapping the evidence on <i>What works</i> for the police to effectively manage missing persons cases: A scoping review

Background: In most countries, the police are legally responsible for investigating reports of missing persons. However, there is a lack of comprehensive knowledge about what works for police officers, under what conditions and in what ways when they are called to intervene. This study aims to critically appraise and summarise what is currently known about the effects, mechanisms, moderators, implementation and costs of police approaches that have been used to improve missing persons investigations. Method: A scoping review of academic and grey literature was conducted, adapting the EMMIE (Effect, Mechanism, Moderator, Implementation, Economics) framework to analyse and consolidate evidence from studies published in the UK and internationally between January 2005 and May 2024. Results: Overall, 33 studies were identified (11 quantitative, 9 qualitative and 13 mixed-methods). A narrative synthesis, using a sorting methodology, resulted in seven inductive themes: (i) Adopting ‘missing’ and ‘absent’ in risk assessments for proportionate response, (ii) Risk assessment and management plans, (iii) Safeguarding measures at the point of location or return, (iv) Partnership working with local agencies and young people, (v) Aid tools and search strategies, (vi) Establishing dedicated teams (vii) Legislative Acts &amp; measures. Findings reveal that the focus of current research is primarily directed to implementation considerations and secondary to descriptive evaluations (outcomes). Conclusions: The review provides a knowledge framework for informing future studies in this field. There is a need for a shift in research, prioritising the evaluation of the impact of police approaches along with the exploration of their mechanisms, contextual factors and costs. Producing robust empirical evidence across all EMMIE dimensions could equip practitioners with a comprehensive understanding of which approaches work, how and why they work, and the resources required for successful real-world implementation.