Suicide and Associated Vulnerability Indicators in Adult Missing Persons: Implications for the Police Risk Assessment

Abstract

Purpose: This research examined the relationship between adult missing persons and suicide, considering a number of possible vulnerability indicators/characteristics of this group of missing persons. Implications for missing person investigations were also explored, particularly for the risk assessment process. Methodology: Data was extracted for ninety-three (N = 93) missing persons cases from one English police force, over a four-year period. These individuals were found dead suspected of suicide. Findings: The findings illustrate a number of vulnerability indicators/characteristics of missing persons who complete suicide. In relation to the initial risk assessment level applied to the missing person report, two vulnerability indicators; a risk of suicide and the presence of a suicide note had an effect on predicting a higher risk assessment level. Limitations: Future research, in order to overcome the present study's limitations, should attempt to collect data from more than one police force in order to increase the sample size. In addition to this, it would be beneficial to use a sample of missing persons who are found safe and well as a Suicide and Associated Vulnerability Indicators in Adult Missing Persons 2 comparative sample to have a better chance in understanding the examined relationship and whether the vulnerability indicators/characteristics are indicative of suicide risk. Practical implications: The findings of this study have practical implications for the risk assessment process and are a step forward in providing empirical evidence applicable to identifying missing persons most at risk of suicide. Social implications: This research has helped to build upon and corroborate existing knowledge of missing persons who complete suicide. Originality: This study provides new empirical evidence on suicide in adult missing persons. The findings demonstrate the subjective and variable nature of the risk assessment process and highlight potential implications on missing person investigations.

Suicidal Ideation and Mental Health: The Moderating Effect of Coping Strategies in the Police Force

“…The relevance of the study of suicidal ideation lies within its consideration as the risk factor that can most accurately predict the probability of future suicide [67,73,74]. Thus, based on the results found, we agree with Pienaar et al [12] in considering that suicidal ideation should be included as an indicator of psychological distress.…”

Cause of death in fatal missing person cases in England and Wales

“…Half of all fatalities were found to result from suicide, rising to 80% when cases with an unknown cause of death are excluded. This underscores the findings of previous studies, which indicate suicide to be the most-common known cause of death in missing person fatalities (Ministerio del Interior, 2021;Newiss, 2011;Yong and Tzani-Pepelasis, 2020). More than 80% of deaths by suicide involved males, and all but two of the 296 cases (99.3%) were adults (broadly similar findings are reported in Sveticic et al, 2012;Woolnough et al, 2019;Yong and Tzani-Pepelasis, 2020).…”

“…Both Newiss (2011) and Woolnough et al (2019) found that three-quarters of missing person suicides involved males, the vast majority adults. Although there is evidence that the perceived risk of suicide is likely to increase the likelihood of a missing person being classified as high risk (Pheonix and Francis, 2022; Yong and Tzani-Pepelasis, 2020), the association between perceived risk of suicide in missing person cases and the actual likelihood of harm is less certain (see, for example, Phoenix and Francis, 2022; Sveticic et al, 2012). Even though adult males account for the majority of those attempting suicide and are also at a higher risk of suicide completion than females (Foy, 2016; Yong and Tzani-Pepelasis, 2020), on the whole they are also more likely to be categorised as lower risk when missing (UK Missing Persons Unit, 2021).…”

Desapariciones y desenlaces suicidas. Un análisis del método, entorno y desplazamiento.

“…En el caso de las mujeres tienden a escoger la sobredosis como método de suicidio. Estos resultados coinciden con los aportados previamente por la literatura académica (Bergen et al, 2012;Callanan & Davis, 2011;Yong & Tzani-Pepelasis, 2019), confirmándose la primera hipótesis (H1).…”