Garda missing persons’ file may go hi-tech

GARDAÍ have expressed huge interest in a system of filing reports for missing persons with a new electronic form in a computer system.

Chief Constable Hugh Orde claimed yesterday a new agreement between the police in Northern Ireland and the National Missing Persons Helpline will enhance the professionalism of investigations.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland chief told a conference in Belfast that the protocol signed on Thursday night between the two organisations would become the “benchmark” for all police services and their investigations into missing persons.

Mr Orde also revealed the PSNI was planning to upgrade its system for filing reports for missing persons with a new electronic form in its computer system.

He told about 130 delegates at the conference: “There must be a consistency of approach. The national protocol, which is still under discussion, will be a benchmark for all police services in their work to investigate missing persons.

“The protocol will enhance the professionalism in these investigations and, if I may be so bold, I would recommend it to officers in other police services and police organisations.”

In Northern Ireland, 46 individuals are on the PSNI’s missing persons register. The conference was yesterday hosted by the PSNI in conjunction with the gardaí; the National Missing Persons Helpline and Centrex, the central police training and development body.

Juliet Singer, of the National Missing Persons Helpline, told the conference the police forces had already signed the agreement to work closely with her organisation were effectively operating pilot schemes to improve the exchange of data and the handling of relatives.

Mr Orde said the new electronic forums for reporting missing persons would greatly benefit investigations.

“The gardaí have talked about not only recording this stuff but using it as a predictive tool as to where people may well be going because you have all the value of analysis through electronic means which is far harder on non-computerised systems.”

Last year, about 3,900 people were reported missing in the Republic, most of whom were runaways.