Behavioural themes in Spanish missing persons cases: An empirical typology

Abstract

The high number of missing person reports that occur globally each year highlights the need for research in this academically neglected field. This research focuses on establishing whether there are different scenarios or behavioural themes that consistently appear in missing person cases in Spain, which could assist the police investigation process. A representative sample of 341 missing person police reports was collated and up to 27 behaviours, which occur during the disappearance, have been codified, as well as circumstances surrounding the case. Through multidimensional scaling four behavioural themes have been identified: intentional-escape, intentional-dysfunctional, unintentional-accidental, and forced-criminal. These findings entail implications, both in terms of prevention and in the scope of police investigations. Specifically, this research is considered a key step in the development of: (a) a predictive risk assessment system for harmed or deceased outcomes, and (b) in-depth review of forced-criminal disappearances that concur with homicide.

An exploration of unsolved missing persons cases suspected of a criminal outcome: A forensic victimology approach

“…Our analysis indicated that criminal disappearances occur under various circumstances. This finding is novel and contrasts with previous studies that have classified missing person cases in a criminal context in a single group (Biehal et al., 2003; Foy, 2016; García‐Barceló et al., 2020; Henderson et al., 2000; Payne, 1995). This finding is novel and contrasts with previous studies tha have classified missing person cases in a criminal context in a single group (Biehal et al., 2003; Foy, 2016; García‐Barceló et al., 2020; Henderson et al., 2000; Payne, 1995).…”

“…The multidimensional scale analysis allowed García‐Barceló et al. (2020) to identify similar intentional dimensions as was found in Bonny's et al.’s (2016) classification (i.e., intentional dysfunctional, intentional escape, unintentional accidential/drif ), and one new category labelled ‘ unintentional criminal ’ reflecting an individual unintentionally missing related to criminal facts.…”

“…Individuals characterised by unintentional disappearance are not concerned about leaving traces. This study was replicated with 341 solved cases of missing persons that occurred in Spain (García‐Barceló et al., 2020). The multidimensional scale analysis allowed García‐Barceló et al.…”

“…Second, to determine heterogeneity among missing person case characteristics, MDS was used with all dichotomous variables. The use of MDS is appropriate to identify the structure in a set of distance measures between a single set of objects or cases and have been previously used in criminological studies (e.g., Fox & Escue, 2021; García‐Barceló et al., 2020; Lehmann et al., 2013; Sea & Beauregard, 2021). Specifically, observations are assigned to specific locations in a conceptual low‐dimensional space so that the distances between points in the space match the given similarities and dissimilarities as closely as possible (Giguère, 2006; Jaworska & Chupetlovska‐Anastasova, 2009; Tsogo et al., 2000).…”

“…Recently, García‐Barceló et al. (2020) identified a cluster of behaviours associated with missing persons in a criminal context. They found that these missing persons presented problems related to criminality, were in a separation process or were travelling far away (i.e., being in a different country).…”