What is the first step in the investigation of a missing person?

The first step in the investigation of a missing person is to initiate an incident report. This report serves as a formal record of the case and provides essential information that initiates the investigative process. Documenting the details allows law enforcement and other agencies to access the facts quickly and efficiently, ensuring that the missing person's case is handled systematically from the very start.

By creating an incident report, investigators can track all relevant information, such as the time the person was last seen, their last known location, and any circumstances surrounding their disappearance. This foundational step is paramount for coordinating subsequent investigative efforts, as it enables the assignment of resources, the implementation of search efforts, and can facilitate communication with the family and the community.

While interviewing family members, searching the area, and checking local news reports are indeed important components of the overall investigation, they often follow the establishment of an official record through the incident report. Thus, this step is crucial in laying the groundwork for a successful investigation into a missing person’s case.