爱污传媒

Missing Student

Policy

It is the policy of 爱污传媒 College to actively investigate any report of a missing student who is enrolled at the College as either a full or part time student. There will be NO waiting period before the commencement of an investigation, and procedures will be governed by federal, state, local law and a Memorandum of Understanding between the Saratoga Springs Police Department and 爱污传媒   A missing student is a Level 2 (Major) Emergency.  

The 爱污传媒 College Department of Campus Safety will initiate an investigation into any report of a missing person as soon as this information is received. Students, employees, and other individuals are advised to immediately contact the Department of Campus Safety when a person is missing for 24 hours, or sooner under suspicious circumstances. The College has a missing student notification policy for students who reside on campus that informs students that they have an option to identify an individual to be contacted by the institution no later than 24 hours after the time that the student is determined missing.  

The notification procedure is confidential and requires students under 18 who are not emancipated to register the name of their custodial parent or guardian. The protocol includes notification to students that the institution will inform the Saratoga Springs Police Department about missing students (a student is considered missing 24 hours after a report is made to the College and confirmation of his or her status to the institution) unless local law enforcement was the entity that made the determination that the student is missing.

Campus Safety will contact the individual identified as the student鈥檚 鈥渕issing person contact鈥�, if any. If the student is over 18 years of age or is an emancipated student under 18 years of age and has not registered a contact person, Campus Safety will report his or her missing status to the Saratoga Springs Police Department upon confirmation of the missing status of the student no later than 24 hours after receiving information the student is missing. For students under 18 years of age and not emancipated, 爱污传媒 must notify a custodial parent or guardian within 24 hours of the determination that the student is missing, in addition to notifying any additional contact person designated by the student. In any event Campus Safety will initiate an investigation immediately upon notification of a missing student.

When faculty/staff in London become aware of a missing person, they will notify local authorities who will conduct an investigation consistent with local policy. 爱污传媒 faculty/staff will assist London authorities with their investigation however possible.

Below are some investigative considerations and not all of these will be performed in every case.  The items are listed in no particular order.

Investigative Guide

1.     General questions

• Is the student missing from the campus, their family residence, or another location?
• Is there a witness to or physical evidence of an abduction or other foul play?
• Is the student despondent or mentally or physically disabled?
• Is the student experiencing academic, personal, or financial problems?
• Has the student disappeared before?
• Does the student have a known drug and/or alcohol problem?
• Has the student received any threats or warnings?
• What is the student's lifestyle? Does the student have a criminal record?
• Did the student or perpetrator leave a note?
• Have similar incidents been reported within the area (attempted abductions, suspicious persons)?
• Is there a history of Domestic/Dating Violence, Stalking or Order of Protection?
• Is there any interaction between Local Law Enforcement and the student? 

2.     Initial response

• Begin an incident report. Obtain as many details as possible from complainant.
• Promptly dispatch officer(s) to conduct a preliminary investigation. Inform responding officer(s) of all pertinent information.
• Provide pertinent information to appropriate area law enforcement agencies.
• Obtain a photograph of the student.
• Inform supervision about the incident. The Director of Campus Safety (or designee) will advise the Emergency Management Team.
• Maintain all notes, records, and recordings of telephone and radio communications.
• Search department records and advise investigating officer(s) and/or supervisor about any pertinent information found.
• As the investigation progresses, ensure that pertinent details are continually relayed to patrols and to other area agencies.
• Make notifications to college administration in accordance with established policies and procedures.
• Prepare a flyer/bulletin and distribute.

3.     Investigation 鈥� most of these steps will be performed by police 鈥� assist where you can

• No investigative steps should be undertaken that could interfere with law enforcement鈥檚 efforts.  Once reported to the police they control the investigation. 
• Interview the person(s) who reported the disappearance; verify accuracy of information already provided.
• Determine if outside assistance is necessary and request.
• Determine the circumstances associated with the disappearance.
• Consider sending a Safety Alert.
• Provide regular updates to Campus Safety Administrator so they can keep the Emergency Management Team updated. 
• Obtain and document all available details regarding circumstances associated with the disappearance.
• Secure and evaluate the abduction site (if applicable), last known location and/or scene and residence.
• If a witnessed abduction, obtain all details pertaining to the missing student, perpetrator, and event. Police will need this information for an Amber Alert.
• If the cause of the disappearance is uncertain, obtain relevant background information.
• Make an initial determination regarding the disappearance category.
• Obtain detailed descriptions of the missing student, abductor, vehicles and circumstances.
• Obtain the student鈥檚 identification, campus account, and social security numbers.
• Obtain locations of residences, places frequented, and employment.
• Obtain academic and work schedules.
• Obtain information about automobiles registered to or used by the student.
• Obtain information about parents/family members, romantic interests, roommate(s), and friends/acquaintances.
• Obtain information about instructors/professors, workplace colleagues, residence hall staff, and others.
• Continue to verify when, where, and by whom the missing student was last seen.
• Interview individuals who may have had contact with the student prior to the disappearance.
• If abduction is suspected, obtain descriptions of the perpetrator.
• Obtain information about involved vehicles; including time and direction of travel.
• Search the abduction site, place where the student was last seen, and/or any others recent locations.
• Secure the student's residence as a potential source of information and evidence.
• Request investigative and/or supervisory assistance, if warranted.
• Ensure that all additional responding personnel are thoroughly briefed.
• Institute (or continue) area canvasses for witness information and searches of all surrounding areas, including vehicles.
• Ensure that all potential evidence is properly handled.
• Everyone should be interviewed separately. Obtain, document, and evaluate all information provided.
• Ensure that use of student accounts/passwords is monitored. Obtain a record of recent transactions and points of access from I.T. 
• Prepare, update, and disseminate informational bulletins to police agencies.
• Ensure that all computers used by the missing student are handled as evidence.
• Ensure that family members have been notified and interviewed.
• Advise family members about support services.
• Advise parents/family members to maintain a log that records information about all visitors and callers.
• Assign a liaison to ensure that family members are provided with information and support.
• Obtain and examine student鈥檚 Internet service provider and e-mail records. Monitor messaging and other on-line activity.