Opinion (Rogério COPETO): MISSING PERSONS AND THE "THE MYTH 24 HOURS "
Whenever it is made known to law enforcement, GNR e PSP, that a person is missing, is child, adult or elderly, these have the obligation to initiate the procedures and diligênciais leading to their location, in the shortest possible time.
Rogério COPETO
Lieutenant Colonel of the GNR, Master in Law and Security and Homeland Security Auditor
Head of the Education Division / Command Doctrine and Training
In GNR since there is no evidence of abduction, kidnapping or murder linked to the disappearance of that person, East, by itself does not constitute crime, It can be immediately investigated, sendo que nos casos referidos deverá comunicar-se o desparecimento à Policia Judiciária que conduzirá a investigação.
However, if there is no crime, a possible danger to the life or physical integrity of the missing person must be assumed., In the case of children, this presumption must always be made.
The activation of efforts to locate missing persons is not limited by any timeframe, are 24, 48 or 72 hours, as usual to hear talk, this myth, that was born as a result of American series and films, where it is often mentioned that the search only starts after the necessary wait of one day.
Unlike what is mentioned in American films, in Portugal, GNR to know a person's disappearance, report that fact immediately to all his disposivo, also informing all other police, so that information reaches the whole national territory.
Depending on whether it is a child, adult or elderly disappeared, Therefore, an assessment of the situation must be made according to each specific case..
The framework is made of a missing child is different from what you do for a missing adult. For a child should be assumed that his disappearance is not of his will, knowing however that most children disappearances are willingly, and that quickly are located in the home of friends, so it is very important, all parents know who the friends of their children.
In the case of elderly people the main cause of disappearance due to the fact that losing, by memory loss or lack of guidance, and are therefore unable to find their way home.
Also changing the place where they have always lived, due to change of residence, to go to a nursing home or a family member’s house, leads to elderly people getting lost.
So, sempre que desaparece uma pessoa devem-se informar as Forças de Segurança o mais rapidamente possível, providing all data on the missing person, if possible a photo, as well as the context of the disappearance and the place where he was last seen.
In the case of GNR disappearance of persons in situations, beyond reporting to all Security Forces and Services, through document itself, its performance starts determining what the usual routine of the missing person, collecting information about their normal travel. After this assessment an acting perimeter is established, starting work as quickly as possible, It is the largest or smallest perimeter in accordance with the disappearance time. The collaboration of local fire brigades is also requested and the population is alerted, requesting your collaboration, especially those who know the missing person and the area of operation. Under the Territorially Commander orders relevant search teams are formed, reinforced by the binomial cinotécnicos, which are always used in searches.
Today in the location of missing persons is still possible to appeal to the technology, including cell phone location, in possession of the missing person, feature that has greatly helped to find a vast majority of missing.
Also the use of the Media (OCS) It must be considered from the outset, These may play a leading role in locating missing people, particularly when it comes to children, as it seems to have happened in the case of “Daniel da Calheta” who disappeared in 2014 from home dose your parents, where voluntarily or involuntarily, CSTs have contributed to the success in the child's location.
Using OCS to report disappearances, right at the beginning, as well as using up the information panels of highways and resort to social networks, will be another instrument that should be used in the disappearance of people, especially children.
When it is concerned find missing persons, every minute counts and nothing can stop being used.
