Investigation of Missing Person Cases

Objective

The Investigating Officers (IOs) shall focus on:

1. Speedy disposal of cases.

2. Eliciting the truth regarding missing, willful escape, elopement, kidnapping, trafficking, or any other circumstances leading to disappearance.

3. Conducting a qualitative, professional, and victim-oriented investigation.

I. Registration and Initial Action

1. Register the Missing Person Report/FIR immediately upon receipt of information.

2. Send copies of the FIR to all concerned officers through the prescribed online system, except to the Court and complainant as per applicable procedures.

3. Examine the complainant and record a detailed statement including:

   • Full name and address.

   • Relationship with the missing person.

   • Mobile numbers and alternate contact details.

   • Circumstances leading to the disappearance.

4. Collect the exact:

   • Date and time of missing.

   • Last seen date and time.

   • Last known location.

II. Collection of Information and Evidence

1. Obtain the latest photograph and video, if available, of the missing person.

2. Collect complete personal particulars including:

   • Name.

   • Age.

   • Gender.

   • Height and weight.

   • Identification marks.

   • Educational and employment details.

   • Mobile numbers and social media accounts.

3. Obtain details of:

   • Friends.

   • Relatives.

   • Colleagues.

   • Frequent contacts.

4. Collect available digital evidence such as:

   • Mobile phone details.

   • Call Data Records (CDR).

   • Social media activity.

   • Email details.

   • Bank transaction details, wherever necessary.

III. Scene Visit and Verification

1. Visit the place from where the person went missing.

2. Collect Geo-Location Coordinates (Latitude and Longitude) of:

   • Place of missing.

   • Last seen location.

   • Any subsequently traced locations.

3. Conduct local enquiries.

4. Examine eye-witnesses and circumstantial witnesses to ascertain:

   • Reasons for disappearance.

   • Possible destinations.

   • Personal disputes.

   • Friendship or relationship issues.

   • Employment or financial problems.

IV. Examination of Witnesses

The following persons shall be examined and their statements recorded:

1. Complainant.

2. Parents and family members.

3. Blood relatives.

4. Eye-witnesses.

5. Circumstantial witnesses.

6. Friends and associates.

7. Teachers, employers, or colleagues, wherever relevant.

Details of all witnesses shall be incorporated in the Case Diary Statements (CDS).

V. Search and Tracing Measures

1. Prepare a Look-Out Notice immediately.

2. Circulate the Look-Out Notice to:

   • All Police Stations.

   • District Control Rooms.

   • Concerned Police Units.

3. Flash VHF messages to all concerned Police Units.

4. Share details with:

   • Missing Persons Bureau.

   • Criminal Intelligence System.

   • Other authorized databases.

5. Verify:

   • Bus stations.

   • Railway stations.

   • Airports.

   • Lodges and hotels.

   • Hospitals.

   • Shelter homes.

   • Child Care Institutions, where applicable.

VI. Publicity and Dissemination

1. Upload particulars and photographs of the missing person on:

   • Police social media platforms.

   • Facebook pages of Police Stations.

   • Official WhatsApp groups.

   • Other authorized social networking platforms.

2. Publish the photograph and details through:

   • Electronic media.

   • Print media.

3. Upload details in:

   • Criminal Intelligence System.

   • Missing Persons Portals.

   • Other approved databases.

VII. Recovery, Rescue and Restoration

Upon tracing the missing person:

1. Ensure immediate rescue and safe custody.

2. Verify identity and circumstances of recovery.

3. Record the statement of the recovered person.

4. Restore the person to parents, guardians, or lawful custodians as per procedure.

5. Conduct counselling wherever necessary.

In Cases Involving Sexual Abuse or Exploitation

1. Arrange immediate medical examination.

2. Obtain medical evidence and expert opinion.

3. Register appropriate criminal offences wherever disclosed.

In Other Cases

1. Record statement under Section 164 CrPC/BNSS provisions before the Jurisdictional Magistrate wherever required.

2. Ascertain whether:

   • The person left voluntarily.

   • There was inducement, coercion, or abduction.

   • Any offence has been committed.

VIII. Investigation Review

The Investigating Officer shall determine:

1. Whether the person is:

   • Missing.

   • Willfully absent.

   • Eloped.

   • Kidnapped.

   • Trafficked.

   • Victim of any crime.

2. Motive and circumstances behind disappearance.

3. Involvement of any suspect or accused.

4. Need for conversion into any cognizable offence, if facts so warrant.

IX. Closure Procedure

1. Serve notice to the complainant before closure of the case.

2. Obtain acknowledgment regarding tracing/restoration wherever applicable.

3. Submit a detailed proposal to the ACP/Competent Authority seeking permission for closure.

4. Ensure all investigation requirements have been completed.

5. Submit Final Report within the stipulated period.

6. Update all databases and records regarding the traced status of the missing person.

Responsibility of Investigating Officer

The Investigating Officer shall ensure:

• Prompt registration and investigation.

• Immediate dissemination of information.

• Continuous search and tracing efforts.

• Protection of the rights and dignity of the missing person.

• Proper rescue and restoration procedures.

• Timely completion of investigation and disposal of the case.

Goal

To trace, rescue, and restore the missing person at the earliest, ascertain the true circumstances of disappearance, and take appropriate legal action wherever any offence is disclosed.