The CERIS Workshop: Missing persons is taking place on 19 March 2025 in Brussels, Belgium

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, including voluntary disappearances, abductions, cases related to mental health crises, or as a result of conflict, geopolitical instability, migration, and natural disasters. Vulnerable groups such as children, victims of trafficking and exploitation, and persons suffering from cognitive impairments face an even greater risk of going missing, often under distressing and dangerous conditions.

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 search and recovery efforts.