1. The Investigative Journey from Missing to Murder
Tony Osborne
Missing Person Advisor (Crime) and CATCHEM
National Crime Agency 1

2. National Investigative Capabilities
PROTECTIVE MARKING
From Missing to Murder
National Investigative Capabilities
H.O.Circular 114/82, review of the “Ripper” case completed by Lawrence Byford QC
“In major "series" crime investigations there must be a mean of harnessing the best detective and forensic science talent in the country. To that end an ad hoc advisory team should be immediately available for use on a consultancy basis as required”.
Initially the Crime Faculty
The capability now rests within the NCA under National Investigative Capabilities and is part of the Investigations Command
The Yorkshire Ripper Enquiry ran from 1977 until he was arrested in 1981
Review conducted by Lawrence Byford in relation to all aspects of the investigation and made numerous recommendations around the investigation of serious offences.
In 1982 – home office circular was published which recommended a National Group – be set up to assist in collating best practice and share learning in relation to more unusual criminal investigations.
In 1996 National Crime Faculty established which has had numerous names
Peter Sutcliffe,
aka ‘The Yorkshire Ripper’ 2

3. aka ‘The Yorkshire Ripper’
PROTECTIVE MARKING
From Missing to Murder National Investigative Capabilities
Provides Frontline Policing with information, advice and support in relation to Major Crime
The National Investigative Capabilities comprises of:-
Specialist Research Team
Witness Intermediary Team
National Injuries Database
MAJOR CRIME INVESTIGATIVE SUPPORT Team
Serious Crime Analysis Section (SCAS)
The Yorkshire Ripper Enquiry ran from 1977 until he was arrested in 1981
Review conducted by Lawrence Byford in relation to all aspects of the investigation and made numerous recommendations around the investigation of serious offences.
In 1982 – home office circular was published which recommended a National Group – be set up to assist in collating best practice and share learning in relation to more unusual criminal investigations.
In 1996 National Crime Faculty established which has had numerous names
Peter Sutcliffe,
aka ‘The Yorkshire Ripper’ 3

4. Major Crime Investigative Support
Regional SIO Advisor
Crime Investigative Support Officer (CISO)
Missing Person Advisor
National Search Advisor
National FLO Advisor
National Interview Advisor (Witness and Suspect)
Behavioural Investigative Advisor (BIA)
Geographic Profiler
National Forensic Advisor
Data Comms Advisor

5. From Missing to Murder MISSING PERSON ADVISER (CRIME)
The CATCHEM database custodian
Statistical data / Investigative methodology
Support to suspicious and high risk missing persons concentrating on:
The circumstances of disappearance
potential sightings
Hypotheses
Information gaps
Providing advice and a level of quality assurance to the investigation
No body murder - Proof of Life
Links to Missing Persons Bureau, academics and other experts

6. Susan Maxwell, aged 11, Missing 30/07/1982
Caroline Hogg, aged 5, Missing 08/07/1983
Sarah Harper, aged 10, Missing, 26/03/1986
Susan Maxwell, Found 11/08/1982, 244 miles away
Caroline Hogg Found 19/07/1983, 308 miles away
Sarah Harper Found 19/04/1986, 81 miles away

7. Robert Black 1990 – Arrested in Scotland
1990 – Convicted of abduction & assault
1992 – Charged with the murders of Maxwell, Hogg and Harper
1994 – Received 10 life sentences
2011 – Convicted of Jennifer Cardy murder
Died in prison
2016 – Would have been charged with Genette Tate murder (1978) (Body never found)

8. The CATCHEM Database
A database of all child murders committed in England, Wales and Scotland, from 1 January 1960 to the present date.
This includes females under the age of 22 years and males under the age of 17 years at the time of death.
Also includes missing children particularly those where the reason for disappearance is suspicious or unknown.

9. The CATCHEM Database
VICTIM – name, age and sex
OFFENCE – date, location, cause of death, circumstances
OFFENDER – name, age, sex, relationship to victim
marital status, previous convictions
Four phases of analysis
Encounter or Missing from Home report
Abduction (Attack)
Homicide ( Murder)
Abandonment (Body Deposition)

10. Categories within CATCHEM
Location of Victim at Time of Contact or Last Sighting
Activity of Victim at Time of Contact or Last Sighting (includes travelling to and from)
Mode of travel of victim at time of last contact
Activity of Offender at Time of Contact (known or believed)
Sexual Activity of Offender
Distance Travelled from Point of Contact to Abandonment
Clothing
Deposition of the Body
Deposition of Body, Proximity of Footpaths OR Area used and Accessible to the Public
Deposition of Body, Distance Body Found from Point of Last Sighting

11. From Missing to Murder THE JOURNEY FROM MISSING TO MURDER
THE QUESTIONS??????????
What are the significant features of the missing person report?
Is there a reason to go missing?
Is the disappearance out of character?
What do we know about the missing person?
Victimolgy
Family, friends and acquaintances
All background information
Did the subject prepare for an absence from home?
Is the subject considered at risk?
What are the circumstances of the LAST SIGHTING?

12. THE JOURNEY FROM MISSING TO MURDER
CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE LAST SIGHTING
Last movements are of paramount importance
(TIME & LOCATION)
Do the circumstances heighten or lower suspicion
Was the missing person undertaking a specific journey or pastime or following a well established route – departure from the norm will considerably increase the risk
WHO was the missing person last seen with?
Can the last sighting be corroborated?
Is there a vehicle involved in the last sighting?
SEARCH COMMENCES FROM THE POINT THE MISSING PERSON WAS LAST SEEN

13. HYPOTHESIS GENERATION
From Missing to Murder
HYPOTHESIS GENERATION
Collins English Dictionary
A hypothesis is ‘a suggested explanation for a group of facts either accepted as a basis for further verification or accepted as likely to be true’
Practice Advice on Core Investigative Doctrine (ACPO 2005)
A hypothesis is defined as ‘building a scenario that best explains the available material’
Hypotheses are created as scenarios which can be tested to determine their validity. Incorporate the opinions of a variety of different individuals to contribute a different viewpoint to potential reasons for someone going missing
SIO, PolSA, FLO’s, subject matter experts, BIA’s
Nothing can be discounted until there is evidence to disprove it occurring
Hypotheses enhanced by subject matter experts, empirical research and academic research – different percpectives

14. From Missing to Murder BENEFITS OF HYPOTHESIS GENERATION
Explicit articulation of the logical possibilities arising from the known information
Rationale that either support or refute these possibilities
Prioritisation of likely events
Useful summary framework
Core Investigative Doctrine - considerations
Has all available material been gathered?
Does the investigator understand all the material adequately?
Are there lines of enquiry that have not yet been pursued which could generate more material? (Information gaps)
BEWARE OF
Confirmation bias – just looking for information to support a favoured hypothesis
Influence of personal bias or stereotyping
Assumptions
Possible false sightings

15. HYPOTHESIS TREE From Missing to Murder Last sighting
3rd party involvement
No 3rd party involvement
Alive
Dead
Deliberate efforts not to be found
Unaware of misper status
Suicide
Accident, exposure etc
Accident, exposure, etc
Homicide
Held against her will
Compliant

16. From Missing to Murder INVESTIGATIVE CONSIDERATIONS
Missing person victim of crime
Missing person abducted and murdered
Problem of disposing of the body
Planned v Spontaneous murder
Removal from premises
Carrying a corpse
Using transport
Decision to conceal
Level and means of concealment
Where to search
NOT how to search
NOT who to use to search

17. From Missing to Murder THE JOURNEY FROM MISSING TO MURDERED
Think murder does not necessarily mean you have to deal with it as a murder
Assume nothing
Believe no one
Challenge everything
CLEAR THE GROUND UNDER YOUR FEET BEFORE MOVING OUT
Your missing person might not have been the victim of crime, but they might never been found and the case may be subject to repeated reviews
The reputation of the force may be at stake if we miss or overlook the obvious
Every missing person is missed by someone – we should keep reminding ourselves that it might be just another job for us but for the family…………….

18. From Missing to Murder CONTACT DETAILS
Tony Osborne
Missing Person (Crime) Adviser
Mobile:
Crime Operational Support
Specialist Operations
National Crime Agency
Specialist Operations Centre:
OFFICIAL
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