Examining mechanisms that facilitate and hinder multi-agency working in missing children’s investigations
An in-depth policing perspective
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21372303 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Paige Monaghan (0000-0002-2759-887X, University of Liverpool, corresponding author), Sara Waring (0000-0003-1625-5705, University of Liverpool), Susan Giles (0000-0002-3435-3010, University of Liverpool), Freya O’Brien (0000-0001-7765-3147, Liverpool John Moores University) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Publication date | 2026-04-21 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | The Police Journal Theory Practice and Principles (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0032-258X • E-ISSN: 1740-5599 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/0032258x261445854 |
| OpenAlex | W7155060063 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 40 |
Despite recognition that multi-agency collaboration is vital in missing child investigations, coordination challenges persist. This study explores mechanisms that facilitate or hinder such collaboration from police perspectives, addressing theoretical and empirical gaps in existing research. Through thematic analysis of 23 interviews, eight mechanisms were identified: understanding useful intelligence, terminology, technology, policies, role boundaries, risk aversion, dedicated resources, and research needs. By applying inter-team theories such as Transactive Memory and Knowledge Boundaries, the study advances understanding of knowledge sharing in high-risk contexts, offering actionable, theoryinformed insights to strengthen coordination, policy, and practice in safeguarding vulnerable children
Empirical evidence · Empirical research · Perspective (graphical) · Qualitative research · Safeguarding · Thematic analysis · Transactive memory · Child Abuse and Related Trauma · Crime Patterns and Interventions · Psychopathy, Forensic Psychiatry, Sexual Offending
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Unthinkable is not un-educable
Pragmatic Ambiguity, Implicatures, and Translation 1
Further evidence on the extent and time course of repeat missing incidents involving children
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The blue light social services? Responding to repeat reports to the police of people missing from institutional locations
Too risky yet not risky enough
Managing Risk and Uncertainty in the Context of Child Protection Decision Making
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The qualitative research interview
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Using Reflexive Interviewing to Foster Deep Understanding of Research Participants' Perspectives
| Highly cited | No |
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