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Course 3 Research and Implementation

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Introduction

As the basis for next actions, the research component entails in-depth inquiry and analysis of the information that is currently available. Because it provides detectives with a thorough picture of the events surrounding the disappearance, this step is critical to the investigation. Through the collection of information regarding the missing person’s routines, known contacts, current activities, and any possible dangers or weaknesses, detectives can start to put together a more complete picture of the case. In addition, watching security camera footage, speaking with witnesses, and looking through tangible or digital evidence are all possible components of investigation. To make sure that no possible leads are missed, this procedure necessitates close attention to detail, critical thinking, and cooperation amongst multiple stakeholders.

Following the completion of the research phase, the implementation phase gets underway with the formulation and application of strategies based on the insights obtained. This stage is just as important since it converts information into practical actions meant to find the missing individual. Depending on the particulars of the case, implementation tactics may change, but they frequently entail planning search operations, working with law enforcement, and reaching out to the community for support. To maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of search operations, proper planning, coordination, and resource management are necessary for effective implementation.

All things considered, the research and implementation phase is a dynamic and complex process that calls for a blend of analytical reasoning, strategic planning, and investigative abilities. It acts as a pivot point in the hunt for a missing person by giving following efforts the required framework and guidance. Through meticulous investigation and thoughtful strategy implementation, investigators can raise the possibility of finding the missing person and providing closure to their loved ones.

Learning Outcomes

Reference unit

Research and implementation

Competence

  • To be able to manage relationships with law enforcement and judicial authorities
  • To be able of planning and managing the activities connected with the research and the finding of the person
  • To be able to support the strategy of research with also the use of modern technological tools
  • To be able to contribute to the field survey

Knowledge and Skills

Competence Matrix Unit 3

EQF/NQF Level: 5

Duration

  • Module 1: 1h 30 min
  • Module 2: 7h 45 min
  • Module 3: 1h 45 min
  • Total: 11h

Requirements

  • Native-level proficiency in the mother tongue
  • Proficiency in English language: C2 level
  • Proficiency in handling technological tools

Content

Module 1: Managing relationships with the law enforcement and judicial authorities: Working together with local, national and international law enforcement and judicial authorities.

  • 1 Introduction: Highlighting the importance of collaboration
  • 2 Understanding Law Enforcement Procedures
  • 3 Cross-Border Cooperation in Missing Persons Cases
  • 4 Effective Communication, Challenges and Solutions

Module 2: Planning the activities connected with the research and the finding of the person, To define the strategy of research with also the use of modern technological tools : prevention (digital tools for vulnerable people) , research, digital tools used by organizations, tools used by law enforcement

  • 1 The term Search and Rescue (S.A.R.)
  • 2 Victim Behavior
  • 3 Search and Rescue Operations Categories
  • 4 Processes of Search and Rescue operations
  • 5 Search planning
  • 6 Roles
  • 7 Stages
  • 8 Search Patterns
  • 9 Field Research Tactics
  • 10 Keys to Successful Searching
  • 11 The importance of a briefing
  • 12 Technological Tools & multimedia
  • 1 Available Technological Tools for Research and Operational Equipment
  • 2 Potential and operating methods of the dog units (molecular dogs) and trace preservation mode
  • 3 Technology as a tool for public mobilization and engagement
  • 4 Investigative photography and forensic

Module 3: Carry out field survey

  • 1 The approach for finding the missing person in the field
  • 2 Debriefing

Suggested resources for further reading

Module 1

Understanding Law Enforcement Procedures:

 

Cross-Border Cooperation in Missing Persons Cases:

 

Effective Communication: Empowering Partnerships, Challenges and Solutions

 

Module 2

  • [SEARCH AND RESCUE (SAR) Operation. Section: LS10 SAR Operations. Standard Operating

Procedures Lifesaving Services. New South Wales. 20th September 2016.

  • Special Action Memorandum Operation in Mountaineering Events. 2013. Circular n. 116A.

 

Technology as a tool for public mobilization and engagement

Investigative photography and forensic anthropology

 

References

Altindag, A., Ozen, S., & Sir, A. (2005). One-year follow-up study of posttraumatic stress

disorder among earthquake survivors in Turkey. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 46(5),

328–333. doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2005.01.005

Bai, Y., Li, G., Lu, T., Wu, Y., Zhang, W., & Feng, Y. (2023). Map Matching Based on Seq2Seq with Topology Information. Applied Sciences, 13(23), Art. 23. https://doi.org/10.3390/app132312920

Bland, S. H., O’Leary, E. S., Farinaro, E., Jossa, F., & Trevisan, M. (1996). Long-Term

Psychological Effects of Natural Disasters. Psychosomatic Medicine, 58(1), 18–24. doi:10.1097/00006842-199601000-00004

College of Policing (2016). Strategic Responsibilities. https://www.college.police.uk/app/major-investigation-and-public-protection/missing-persons/strategic-responsibilities

Dzulkifli, M. A., Sulaiman, S., & Saparon, A. (2017). Tracking system for missing person. 2017 International Conference on Electrical, Electronics and System Engineering (ICEESE), 57–60. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICEESE.2017.8298405

Ershad, M., & Ali, E. (2020). Global Positioning System (GPS): Definition, Principles, Errors, Applications & DGPS.

Commander Naval Forces Europe, Commander Naval Forces Africa, Commander 6th Fleet &

SAR Coordinator. (2018). Search and Rescue (SAR) Organization and Management. chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.comhafat.org/fr/files/actualites/doc_actualite_5051376.pdf

Endler, N. S., & Parker, J. D. A. (1990). State and trait anxiety, depression and coping styles.

Australian Journal of Psychology, 42(2), 207–220. doi:10.1080/00049539008260119

European Commission (n.d.). What is SIS and how does it work? https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/schengen-borders-and-visa/schengen-information-system/what-sis-and-how-does-it-work_en

European Migration Network (2020). How do European States treat cases of Missing      Unaccompanied Minors? European Commission. https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2020-04/inform_missing_uam_final_15042020_0.pdf

Greene, K.S., & Alys, L. (2017). Missing Persons, A Handbook of Research, Routledge.

Iliopoulos, N., Koukouzas, A., Chalaris, M., Kanavos, A., Dumitraşcu, A., Ogrezeanu, A.,

Ferner, P., Scheuer, S., Bertram, S., Dinkelbach, R., Vourvachis, I., & Santorinaios, C. (2021). Establishment of S&R Concept of operations. . https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5180215

Ogrezeanu, A. (2022). Establishment of S&R Concept of operations. www.academia.edu.

https://www.academia.edu/81752090/Establishment_of_S_and_R_Concept_of_operations?uc-sb-sw=69538613

KARANCI, A. N., & RÜSTEMLI, A. (1995). Psychological Consequences of the 1992 Erzincan

(Turkey) Earthquake. Disasters, 19(1), 8–18. doi:10.1111/j.1467-7717.1995.tb00328.

Land Search and Rescue Addendum 2011. To the National SAR Supplement, the

International  Aeronautical and Maritime SAR, Manual Version 1.0. (2011, November).

Lam, J., Kop, N., & Houtman, C. (2023). The Impact of Technological Support on Citizen Searches for Missing Persons. Justice Evaluation Journal, 6(1), 62–80. https://doi.org/10.1080/24751979.2022.2109502

McFarlane, A. C. (1988). The Aetiology of Post-traumatic Stress Disorders Following a Natural

Disaster. British Journal of Psychiatry, 152(01), 116–121. doi:10.1192/bjp.152.1.116

McFarlane, A. C. (1989). The Aetiology of Post-traumatic Morbidity: Predisposing,

Precipitating and Perpetuating Factors. British Journal of Psychiatry, 154(02), 221-

  1. doi:10.1192/bjp.154.2.221

Missing Children Europe (2011). A Practical Guide for Hotline Operators. https://116-000.it/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/practical-guide.pdf

Salado Puerto, M., Abboud, D., Baraybar, J. P., Carracedo, A., Fonseca, S., Goodwin, W., Guyomarc’h, P., Jimenez, A., Krenzer, U., Morcillo Mendez, M. D., Prieto, J. L., Rodriguez Gonzalez, J., Ruiz Orozco, Y., Taylor, J., Tennakoon, A., Winter, K., & Finegan, O. (2021). The search process: Integrating the investigation and identification of missing and unidentified persons. Forensic Science International: Synergy, 3, 100154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsisyn.2021.100154

New South Wales. (2016). Search and Rescue (SAR) Responsibilities. Section: LS10 SAR

Operations. Standard Operating.  chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.surflifesaving.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2019/11/LS10-SAR-OPERATIONS.pdf

Pearlin, L. I., Menaghan, E. G., Lieberman, M. A., & Mullan, J. T. (1981). The Stress Process.

Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 22(4), 337. doi:10.2307/2136676

Taylor, Α., & and Ogutu, Κ. (1998). SAR Best [12] Pynoos RS, Goenjian A, Tashjian M et al.

post-traumatic stress reactions in children after the 1988 Armenian earthquake British Journal of Psychiatry, 163: 239–247.

Thoits, P. A. (1995). Stress, Coping, and Social Support Processes: Where Are We? What

Next? Journal of Health and Social Behavior, 35, 53-79. doi:10.2307/2626957

Wang, C. (2006). Principles and practices towards SAR [Search and Rescue] services : a comparative study on states’ approaches to improving maritime SAR. The Maritime Commons: Digital Repository of the World Maritime University. https://commons.wmu.se/all_dissertations/252/

Xu, J., & Song, X. (2011). Posttraumatic stress disorder among survivors of the Wenchuan

earthquake 1 year after: prevalence and risk factors. Comprehensive Psychiatry, 52(4), 431–437. doi:10.1016/j.comppsych.2010.08.002

Course Content

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Course Includes

  • 3 Modules
  • 21 Topics
  • 1 Quiz
  • Course Certificate
2022-1-IT01-KA220-VET-000087044

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

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Massimo Pici

SIULP

Massimo Pici is the Provincial General Secretary of SIULP (Italian Unitary Police Workers Union) of Perugia. During his trade union career, Pici has distinguished himself for his commitment to various issues related to the safety and protection of the rights of police workers. He has promoted training initiatives, such as courses for the search for missing persons, and has actively participated in debates on issues of social relevance, such as the proposal to establish a register for imams in Italy. Pici participated in the European project LOST 2, contributing, for the SIULP partner, to the development of the units of competence necessary for this new professional figure, underlining the importance of a European approach to the phenomenon of missing persons and the need to support the families involved.

Chara Stassinopoulou

p-consulting.gr

Chara Stassinopoulou holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management of Cultural Resources from the University of Patras, with further certification in Informatics and Computer Science. She serves as EU Projects Manager at p-consulting.gr, where she coordinates Erasmus+ projects across adult, VET, and school education, with a focus on inclusive, community-driven innovation and education.

Francisco Jiménez Navarro

SOS Desaparecidos (ES)

Francisco Jiménez Navarro is the General Coordinator of sosdesaparecidos and professional emergency medical technician. International aid worker and has participated in two armed conflicts in missions of identification of bodies of missing persons and humanitarian aid.

Barbara Coccetta

OMNIS

Barbara Coccetta, has a long experience in the the design and coordination of VET project (“Leonardo Da Vinci”, “Lifelong Learning Programme”, Erasmus Plus”) . A researcher in the VET context, she has been involved in European project management and coordination for 20 years. She is an European policy expert after a bachelor’s degree at the College of Europe in Bruges (BE) and a professional qualification professional qualification at the “Human Resources Development and EU Social Studies”. She is the reference person behalf of OMNIS Organisation for the technical coordination of the training activities providing her specific skills, her strong experience in this field and the deep knowledge acquired over the years in ECVET and EQAVET frameworks. OMNIS has provided other partner organisations with the support on the application of the over mentioned methodology based on a competence model, which takes also into account the European and national instructions in the field of the competencies framework for the definition and testing of the innovative professional in relation to the Missing People phenomenon.

Sara Sechi

Don Bosco International

Sara Sechi is the Executive Secretary of Don Bosco International – DBI. She holds a master’s degree in Law and an advanced-master in International Public Affairs. She has direct experience in non-formal education, training, intercultural learning, youth participation, inclusive leadership, and EU advocacy. She speaks Italian, English and French.

Nel Broothaerts

Child Focus Belgium

Nel Broothaerts graduated as Master in Pedagogical Sciences at the University of Ghent. In 2002, she was responsible for the development of an educational program for young children in Guatemala. After her return to Belgium, she worked within the education system for children with special needs, where she was responsible for the development of pedagogical tools for teachers. Between 2005 and 2007, Nel worked within the Youth Service as a home counsellor / parenting advisor for families in problematic parenting situations. In May 2007, she joined Child Focus and as project manager was responsible for the policy and development of prevention initiatives around e-safety. In September 2013, she became coordinator of the project team. In October 2017, she became Chief Prevention and Development Officer, responsible for all prevention initiatives, through tools, materials, education or training, and new developments in the Foundation. Since October 2022, she combines this position with the role of Deputy CEO of Child Focus.

Patrícia Cipriano

APCDV – Ass. Portuguese Association of Missing and Vulnerable Children

Patrícia de Sousa Cipriano is a lawyer and Honorary President of the Portuguese Association of Missing and Vulnerable Children (APCDV), with a career of more than 17 years dedicated to defending the rights of missing and vulnerable children. Graduated in Law from the Faculty of Law of the University of Coimbra (pre bologna), with specialization in International Family Law, she currently works as Of Counsel at the prestigious law firm LEGALWORKS – Gomes da Silva & Associados. She is a member of the Lawyers in Europe against Parental Abduction network and is a member of the Advisory Board of the Amber Alert Europe Foundation, contributing with her experience to the strengthening of legal and police cooperation at European level. She was also co-founder of the Portuguese Children’s Association (APCDV), together with Margarida Barroso, the late wife of the former President of the European Commission, José Manuel Durão Barroso. As President of APCDV, she has led several initiatives to raise awareness, research and support families, with emphasis on her intervention in emblematic cases such as the disappearance of Rui Pedro. She also participated in the Netflix documentary on the Madeleine McCann case, reinforcing her commitment to the international visibility of the cause.

Amaya Rodrigo

SOS Desaparecidos

Amaya Rodrigo is the international coordinator of SOS Desaparecidos, a nonprofit organisation that lobbies for the rights of the missing people in Spain, and aims for a European protocol and law reform that grants missing people and their families their lawful rights. SOS also provides first aid and help to the families after their loved one has gone missing, with a team of volunteer professionals, such as lawyers, therapists, criminalists, detectives. The organisation conducts extensive use of conventional and Social Media to spread awareness and to alert about individual cases.

Sarah Abel

EUROMASC

Sarah Abel is a project manager at EUROMASC and NTIM, specializing in Erasmus+ projects and European cooperation initiatives. She holds a BA (2018) and MA (2020) in political science from the University of Oslo, with a research focus on political polarization in the United States. Sarah first joined EUROMASC in 2019, contributing to various European projects through research and desk studies. She later worked as a research assistant at the European University Institute (EUI) in Florence before returning to EUROMASC in 2023 as a project manager. In this role, she is responsible for the design, coordination, and implementation of Erasmus+ projects, fostering strategic international partnerships, managing project activities, and ensuring alignment with EU policies and priorities. Fluent in Norwegian, English, Danish, and Swedish, with working comprehension of Italian, Sarah actively collaborates with international consortia to promote innovation and knowledge exchange within the Erasmus+ framework. She is dedicated to strengthening European cooperation in education, training, and research through high-impact projects.

Georgia Angelopoulou

The Smile of The Child

Georgia Angelopoulou is a psychologist currently working at “The Smile of the Child,” where she coordinates the Help & Support Lines Center. Her work focuses on crisis intervention, psychosocial support, and safeguarding vulnerable children and adults, including direct involvement in missing persons cases. She has extensive experience collaborating with municipalities, state authorities, and ministries in Greece, and regularly participates as a speaker in professional seminars and conferences on child protection and mental health. She is actively involved in the European project “Lost II – Research and Implementation,” which addresses missing children and adults, and she brings a systemic perspective to both prevention and response efforts. Her academic background includes a degree in Psychology from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, further training in Rorschach testing, and ongoing specialization in Systemic Psychotherapy. Through her role, Georgia provides not only direct psychological support but also contributes to the development of effective inter-agency response mechanisms. She is passionate about promoting awareness and evidence-based practices in the field of disappearances and mental health crises.

Sandrine Pépit

Missing Children Europe

Sandrine Pépit has a background in family law and psychology. She has considerable expertise in the field of international child protection. After having worked for the Central Authority of Quebec, she joined the Permanent bureau of the Hague Conference on private international law. For more than six years, she has worked for a French public agency where she conducted analyses and research on child protection and alternative care. She is the Director of ISS France, Paré programme (a national programme to combat sexual exploitation of children) and of 116000 Enfants Disparus, where she runs the hotline for missing children in France. In June 2021 she took up he role of Vice President of Missing Children Europe.

Constantino Kounas

ARLAB Basilicata

Constantino Kounas is LOST2 project coordinator on behalf of the lead partner ARLAB Basilicata.

Expert in managing European funding, specialized in vocational education and training, adult education, networking and coordination of transnational partnerships. Graduated in Economics and Business, he has a professional qualification as a business consultant expert in subsidized financing for businesses. He coordinates European projects and has collaborated with public bodies and European institutions for over 20 years.

Susana Nogueira

EfVET European Forum of Technical and Vocational Education and Training

Susana Nogueira is a Policy/Project Officer at EfVET since 2022. She has a degree in Criminal Psychology and an experience of 10 years in the coordination and management of Erasmus+ funded projects focused on an array of sectors, including Social Economy, Defence, Culture and Creative Industries, Inclusion and Technology. Moreover, as Policy Officer, Susana has been deeply involved in the development of documentation and tools aimed to advocate for the innovation and quality of Vocational Education and Training.

Susana also worked as Victims’ Support Technician, assisting victims of crimes (domestic violence and other forms of abuse) by providing them with psychological, social and legal support, and as volunteer psychologist at a local civil protection unit in Lisbon (Portugal), trained to provide psychological first aid and support to victims of accidents and catastrophes.