Technology has changed how we live, interact with others, and share information about ourselves. The Internet, especially social media, has also affected Search and Rescue (SAR) operations and Missing Persons (MPs) investigations. Here’s an overview of how digital intelligence has opened new opportunities and investigative avenues through crowdsourcing, surveillance systems, cellphone data, IMSI catchers, geolocation services, AI recognition, and more.
The role of the Internet in locating missing individuals
The Internet holds more information than ever on individuals. This includes not only what is voluntarily (or not) shared online but also the capabilities of the applications hosted online and the use of the Internet as an avenue to communicate.
One frequently cited case by SAR operators is that of a missing hiker from Yosemite National Park. Upon discovering what appeared to be an abandoned campsite in the backcountry, the park rangers took immediate action. They found a tent, sleeping bag, stove, and other items scattered throughout the site, some bearing the hiker’s name and park permit. Concerned for his safety, the rangers initiated a search field for the next day.
Meanwhile, the investigators ran an online search for his name, found the organization he worked for in the UK, and contacted them. They confirmed that he was on a trip to the US, with plans of hiking at Yosemite, and also provided a picture of him, a physical description, and other details. They also found his email address and tried contacting him, saying they were concerned for his safety. Surprisingly enough, the missing hiker answered the email, explaining that he got lost and couldn’t find his way back to the campsite but eventually found a way out of the park and took a bus to exit the area. He was safe and was now returning home. The search was cancelled, and the incident closed without wasting resources.
However, not all cases are this lucky, and technology can offer a much wider search ground for Missing Persons investigators.
Social Media
Social Networking sites all share some common features: they’re user-based, interactive, community-driven, and based on relationships outside the strict circle of friends. They also encourage people to speak their minds and feel that friends are within easy reach, so communications convey their emotions and state of mind.
Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram provide a vast data pool that can be harnessed in cases of missing persons. Investigators can identify potential leads by analyzing posts, comments, and messages. This wealth of data on social media platforms is a goldmine for finding missing persons, providing a level of insight and information that was previously unavailable.
In a missing-person incident, the most valuable information comes from blogs, comments, a list of friends, and status updates.
Social media also facilitates the rapid dissemination of information to a broad audience. Campaigns to find missing persons can go viral, reaching millions of users who may provide crucial information.
Furthermore, if investigators, friends, or family can access the missing person’s computer browser and search histories, these can provide valuable clues about their destination or intentions.
Crowdsourcing
On September 3, 2007, billionaire Steve Fossett went missing after he took off in a small plane from his ranch in Nevada and didn’t return. Google Earth blog and MTurks joined their efforts and put online a website called “Help Find Steve Fossett” which provided satellite images of the area where he was believed to have flown. They asked users to review pictures of small geographic areas for debris or suspicious items. Thousands of contributors worldwide signed up to review the images, each of which took an average of 60 minutes.
Crowdsourcing leverages the power of the public to gather information. Platforms like Missing People, a UK-based charity, or applications like Find Me use crowdsourcing to collect tips from the public. By involving many people, the chances of finding helpful information increase. Users can report sightings, share relevant photos, or provide other valuable insights that might assist in locating the missing person.
Surveillance systems
CCTV cameras and other surveillance systems play a pivotal role in tracking the movements of missing individuals. More and more, search-and-rescue teams go door to door to request that residents review their security camera footage to determine if a missing person has passed in front of their residence. Cameras can also be found in tourist spots, the Chamber of Commerce, large public venues, parks, ski areas, traffic lights, etc. Even infrared wildlife game cameras in remote locations have proven helpful in locating missing people.
Footage from these systems can help pinpoint a person’s last known location. Advanced technologies such as facial recognition can be applied to these video feeds, enhancing the ability to identify individuals even in crowded areas.
Cellphone data
Cellphone data is a crucial component in modern investigations. Call detail records (CDRs) provide information about the last known location of the individual’s phone based on the cell towers it was connected to. Text messages and call logs can offer insights into the person’s recent activities and contacts. Additionally, smartphone apps can sometimes provide GPS data, further aiding the search.
The tower-cellphone communication becomes particularly useful when the missing person initiates a 911 call. To call 911, the phone doesn’t need a provider subscription; the device only needs to reach a compatible tower. The cellphone will automatically switch to its maximum power level and communicate with the tower by pinging it for as much as 300 pulses per second. After a certain amount of time, the phone will begin checking every 10 or 20 minutes at maximum power, which will also cause to deplete the battery.
While cellphone communications are complex, provider-dependant, and cannot always provide accurate location information, they offer important clues to a missing person investigation, so much so that one of the first things investigators do is to try to “ping” the missing person’s phone by sending an SMS or an image to validate that the device is still active. Law Enforcement will typically rely on trained engineers from service providers to interpret the data obtained from cellphone communications.
IMSI catchers
IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) catchers, also known as Stingrays, Triggerfish, and Dirtbox, are devices that mimic cell towers to intercept mobile phone signals. They were originally developed as cell phones or listening devices to intercept voice or text conversations and to track device movements. IMSI catchers are often associated with government surveillance to track criminal and terrorist activity. Although controversial, these devices have successfully located missing people in remote locations without cell towers, such as deep canyons or crevasses. To do that, the device is mounted on an aircraft and flown over the search area.
The signal coverage of a mobile phone system is greatly increased by operating the IMSI catcher from an airborne platform, such as a helicopter or a drone. Whereas the cell tower coverage has many shadowed areas, the signal from the catcher can easily work around them and increase the chances of capturing the missing person’s cellphone signal. These devices can also be integrated with graphic technology to show a moving map in real-time.
Geolocation services
Despite all the technological advancements, most people expect they can be automatically located by calling 911 for help. When someone calls 911 from a smartphone, the smartphone will automatically turn on the location services even if they were turned off. The cellphone will then transmit the raw location GPS data to be stored at the closest cell tower. That information is then processed and stored in a database that the 911 call taker can access through a database. The problem is that these coordinates are approximated, and the dispatchers might need more precise information to locate the person. The burden is placed on the caller to provide more clues on their surroundings. A photo or a video of their location could greatly help responders. However, PSAPs (Public Safety Answering Points) cannot receive texts. A user who tries to text 911 will receive a bounce-back message.
Geolocation services utilize GPS data to track the location of devices. Applications that share location data, such as Google Maps or Find My iPhone, can provide precise information about a missing person’s whereabouts. These services can be accessed with appropriate legal permissions, ensuring privacy concerns are addressed while aiding the investigation.
AI recognition
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has revolutionized the field of digital investigations. AI algorithms can analyze large datasets quickly and accurately, identifying patterns and connections that human investigators might miss. AI-powered facial recognition systems can scan thousands of images and videos to locate a missing person or a person of interest in the investigation. In particular, facial recognition used at customs and border protection checkpoints has proven valuable in cases of missing or abducted children.
Additionally, AI can process and analyze social media activity, highlighting relevant information and potential leads.
It’s crucial to understand that AI technology, while powerful, is not infallible. The risk of misidentifying individuals and potential wrongful convictions is a valid concern, leading some cities in the United States, like San Francisco and Oakland, to restrict certain uses of facial recognition technologies for city officials, including law enforcement. The benefits of AI, such as the substantial reduction in human hours of work, are undeniable. However, human intervention is always required to validate and interpret the results obtained by AI analysis and maintain the integrity of the investigative process.
Satellite alert devices
Emergency locator beacon devices are emergency devices to use in case of emergencies. Some examples are PLBs (Personal Locator Beacons) designed to be carried by individuals, EPIRBs (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons) for marine use, and ELTs (Emergency Local Transmitters) for aircraft. Once one of these devices is activated, its signal is detected by a satellite and sent to a Mission Control Center (MCC), which is decoded and sent to a Rescue Coordination Center (RCC). The RCC will then try to contact the registered owner of the device to establish whether it is a real emergency.
Many of these devices can save lives. However, some are not fire or water-resistant and may be destroyed before transmitting accurate information. Also, responders must consider transmission delays, which can affect the accuracy of the location based on when the data was transmitted.
In this category, we want to include satellite phones, often used by international travellers and hikers when directed to remote areas. These phones provide a lifeline in areas where traditional cell service is unavailable, providing global coverage, including over the oceans and polar regions. Dome models also have a built-in SOS button with integrated SOS capabilities. Even when not in use, the phone’s pings to satellites can help narrow down the search area. These phones are typically designed for rugged conditions and are dust-proof, shock-resistant, and jet-water-resistant. With time, they have become even less expensive than smartphones, ranging from $800 to $2,000, and can also be rented for short-term use.
The integration of technology in MP investigations
Integrating these digital sources creates a comprehensive approach to solving missing person cases. More than ever, investigators can build a detailed profile of the disappeared person’s movements, activities, and state of mind. This multifaceted approach increases the likelihood of locating the individual quickly and efficiently. However, using technology and invading a person’s privacy often raises ethical and legal considerations. While using digital intelligence is powerful, addressing ethical and legal considerations is essential. Privacy concerns must be balanced with the need for information. Proper legal channels should always be followed to obtain access to personal data, and technology should adhere to regulations and standards to prevent misuse.
As technology advances, its role in solving missing person cases will undoubtedly become even more significant. However, technology alone cannot solve the case. While it can provide valuable insights to solve and prevent disappearances, investigators must widen and sharpen their knowledge of how to use the available tools. There is an increasing need for analysts and professionals to recognize and separate the noise from the valuable intelligence provided by the gathered data.
