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Respond to a missing persons incident

URN: LANCS101
Business Sectors (Suites): Incident Management in the Land-based Sector
Developed by: Lantra
Approved on: 2023

Overview

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This standard covers the competence required to handle the initial response to a missing persons incident. It includes obtaining information, assessing the degree of urgency and taking the appropriate action.

This standard applies to individuals with responsibility for responding to a missing persons incident.

Performance criteria

You must be able to:

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  1. obtain and record all available information regarding the missing person
  2. obtain and record key information from the informant including their telephone number, and encourage them to remain contactable and not search on their own 
  3. establish up-to-date present and predicted weather conditions affecting the location of the incident 
  4. consider the time of day and light conditions and the effect of this on the search operation
  5. consider the terrain of the location and the effect of this on the search operation
  6. determine whether the incident location may have particular hazards that will impact on the search operation
  7. assess all information regarding the missing person and search conditions to establish the risks involved, determine the urgency of the situation and plan the action required
  8. monitor the situation closely, where the risk is low, and stay in contact with the informant and reassess if circumstances change
  9. contact the police to discuss the action required where risk is medium and instigate an initial search if instructed to do so
  10. contact the police immediately and take further instruction from them where the risk is high
  11. establish the most appropriate type of search plan to be used where an initial search is required
  12. establish the datum point for commencing the search
  13. determine who needs to be involved in the search
  14. brief those involved in the search, providing all relevant information
  15. identify and confirm roles, responsibilities and lines of authority when coordinating the search 
  16. confirm that the equipment required to carry out the search is available and prepared
  17. coordinate the search according to the plan
  18. maintain communication with those involved throughout the search 
  19. monitor the health and safety of those involved in the search 
  20. monitor the progress of the search and make changes to the plan as a result of findings and information gathered
  21. maintain contact with the police and call for assistance if the search fails to achieve results or the risk increases
  22. record and report on the result of the search 

Knowledge and Understanding

You need to know and understand:

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  1. what information should be collected about the missing person and why it is important that this is documented
  2. what information should be collected from the informant and why they must remain contactable and not search on their own
  3. how to find out the up-to-date present and predicted weather conditions affecting the location of the incident 
  4. the importance to the search operation of the time of day and the hours of daylight left 
  5. how the terrain of the location and any particular hazards can affect the search operation
  6. how to assess the information regarding the missing person and the search conditions to determine the urgency of the situation and the action required
  7. how a risk assessment type scoring system can be used for this  
  8. when to contact the police and the information they will require
  9. when it is appropriate to instigate an initial search
  10. how to establish a datum point and plan an initial search
  11. what needs to be considered when assessing the risks involved and establishing the most appropriate type of search plan to be used
  12. the methods for plotting information regarding the search on a chart or map
  13. who should be involved in the search and the information they should be provided with
  14. the importance of confirming roles, responsibilities and lines of authority with those involved in the search  
  15. the importance of briefing those involved in the search and maintaining communication throughout
  16. the equipment required for the search and how to ensure it is available and prepared
  17. the importance of risk assessment both before and during the search and of monitoring the safety of those involved in the search 
  18. the various types of search patterns, the situations when these might be used and why
  19. the importance of monitoring the search and making changes to the plan as a result of findings and information gathered
  20. the importance of keeping the police informed and when to escalate the search 
  21. the requirements for recording and reporting on the search

Scope/range

Scope Performance

Scope Knowledge

Values

Behaviours

Skills

Glossary

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Equipment could include:

• Vehicles
• Binoculars
• Drones
• Radios
• Megaphones
• Maps
• Torches
• Whistles
• Blankets
• First aid equipment
• Search and rescue dogs

Informant information:

• Name
• Address/location
• Contact telephone number
• Relationship to missing person

Missing person information:

• Name
• Address
• Mobile number
• Age
• Sex
• Height/build
• Hair colour/style
• Clothing worn or carried when last seen – description, colour, brand
• Type of footwear, make and tread pattern, if possible
• Rucksack or other equipment carried (food, torch, whistle, survival bag, map, compass etc)
• Are they experienced in outdoor walking, using maps, compasses, etc?
• Do they know the area?
• Time they were last seen
• Where they were last seen (grid or other reference, if possible)
• What activity they were doing, if known
• Details of last person to see them
• Any medical considerations (physical or mental)
• Temperament/state of mind when they were last seen
• Have they gone missing before?
• Weather and visibility at the time they went missing
• Were there any other walkers in the area at the time?
• In addition, if a child:

o What are their interests?
o Would they approach a stranger to ask for help or shy away?
o Are they used to being on their own?
o Were they carrying any sweets or food – what is the brand?: wrappers can act as a “breadcrumb” trail

Links To Other NOS

External Links

Version Number

1

Indicative Review Date

2028

Validity

Current

Status

Original

Originating Organisation

Lantra

Original URN

LANCS101

Relevant Occupations

Estate Manager, Head Ranger, Head Keeper

SOC Code

3550

Keywords

Missing person; search