CERIS workshop on missing persons

This thematic workshop of the Community for European Research and Innovation for Security (CERIS) aims at discussing missing persons.

The issue of missing persons is a pressing and multifaceted challenge that affects all communities. It encompasses various categories and is influenced by diverse factors. People may go missing under a variety of circumstances.

Addressing this issue requires a coordinated response from multiple stakeholders. Law enforcement agencies play a pivotal role in investigating disappearances, coordinating searches, and leveraging forensic and technological tools to locate missing individuals. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) contribute by raising awareness, providing victim support, and facilitating cross-border cooperation. Additionally, the involvement of the wider public is crucial, as citizens can assist in search efforts and reporting crucial information.

In an era of rapid technological advancement, innovative tools such as artificial intelligence, biometric databases, and real-time data-sharing platforms can significantly enhance the ability of law enforcement and other relevant actors to track and identify missing persons more efficiently. This workshop aims to explore the complexities of the missing persons phenomenon, highlight the importance of multi-agency collaboration, and examine the role of research and innovation, and the exploitation of existing and emerging technologies in strengthening prevention, search, identification and safeguarding efforts.