Course 5. Finalization of investigation

Introduction

Within the “Investigation phase” it is strategic to manage practical assistance to the family of the missing person in order to understand the motivation and collect key element for the research of the missing person. Therefore, the course is designed to focus on the following main topics, such as the interpretation of the motivation at the base of the disappearance and the family and environment framework where it is collocated.

In the context of missing persons, we too often focus exclusively on “Where?”, meaning where the missing person is located, without considering that this often becomes the first and greatest step toward failure. Instead, we should shift the focus to another, far more important question, one that can test the effectiveness of the applied search method without waiting for the outcome and that allows for the discovery as an effect of a correct methodological approach: “Why?”.   

Starting from this assumption, the course analyses the relationships with the families involved and the communication used towards the family and the general strategies of interpersonal communication.

At the end of the course the learner will be able to exercise the following competence that is “to provide assistance to the families of missing persons and manage personal relationships with those involved in the missing person’s relationship system focusing on the finalization and on its finalisation. It is also important to know what must be done after ending the search. In other words, when the search period is ending: when finds a dead person, and when one does not find anybody/the case is unresolved.

In particular, the course will allow the learner to:

• define a communication strategy with family, friends, colleagues; to manage interpersonal relationships in critical situations; using techniques to define an interpersonal communication strategy and Context Analysis Techniques.
• collect specific and detailed information on the private life of the missing person and in the family environment;
• support the family in the relationship with the police, legal and judiciary forces;
• activate the system of services to support people in difficulty;
• define further scenarios for conducting research;
• analyse the family dynamics, friendships and work relationships of the missing person.

Learning Outcomes

• Knowledge: Knows elements of analysis of the family context; Knows the elements of analysis of the individual behaviour of family members
• Skills: Uses interpersonal support techniques for family members; Defines methods and strategies for providing long-term care and recognizing when more professional help and support is needed;
• Knowledge: Knows elements of interpersonal communication in critical contexts; Has a knowledge of the elements for the acquisition of the trust by the interlocutors; Has knowledge of the type of specialist professionalism to be activated.
• Skills: Is able to manage interpersonal relationships in critical situations; Uses techniques to define an interpersonal communication strategy; Uses Context Analysis Techniques; Is able to manage the procedures for the activation of specialized professionals and services to support people in difficulty
• Knowledge: Has a basic understanding of the missing person’s profile.
• Skills: Uses techniques for identifying personal needs and reading individual problems; Maintains relations with possible systems of relationship with victims.

At the end of the training course, students will be able to deal all the phases of the investigation in relation to the practical assistance needed by the family of the missing person. To do that it is pivotal to understand the elements at the base of the concept of the absence of a person, which are all connected with the a) individual, 2) the contest, 3) the Warning system. All these elements are, in turn, strongly connected with the family of the person and with the methods and strategies to build an effective and useful communication to assist families and to go deeper finalising the researches. 

Finally, the learner will be also able to provide assistance to the families and managing these personal relationships after ending the search (finalisation of investigation).