‘Take a minute to think of cases where someone is missing, presumed murdered and those responsible or others, will not reveal the location of the body so that it can be returned to loved ones and the pain of forever wondering can end.’ The statement… We constantly hear the term ambiguous loss in relation to the grief attached to the families of those whose loved ones are long term missing persons (LTMP). But what does this mean and who does it affect? It is a fast-paced world

When you think of a private investigator, what comes to mind? A shadowy figure tailing suspects in a trench coat? While Hollywood has certainly glamorized the profession, the reality is far more nuanced and methodical. Private investigation techniques are a blend of art and science, requiring patience, skill, and a deep understanding of human behavior. Today, I want to take you behind the scenes and reveal what really goes into the work of a private investigator, especially w

Photo: The rescue party riding out across a High Country plain with George in bandages and broken bones on the middle horse ‘At daybreak...

Image of a pioneer’s tombstone in the Australian out-back, Valentine Smith © 2022 The Missed Foundation [i] calculates that for every...

AI – The Tipping Point to human redundancy in investigations and beyond

The first police unit on scene took down basic initial details and commenced a land search of the navigable roads and tracks for some hours.

PART THREE OF A FOUR PART SERIES Victimology and Witness handling INTRODUCTION: Criticisms, no more criticisms – with over fifty years in policing and investigations, the last ten years almost solely concentrating on missing persons, I have identified gaps in most cases. However, I am generally not overly critical, why? Because I understand reality and the limitations and pressures in which police work. I also understand that it is the front-line officer who is usually the t

PART TWO OF A FOUR PART SERIES INVESTIGATIVE RESPONSE – THE GAPS IN THE FIRST 120 HOURS   INTRODUCTION:   “If it looks like a duck and...

PART ONE OF A FOUR-PART SERIES INTRODUCTION: Criticisms, no more criticisms – with over fifty years in policing and investigations, the last ten years almost solely concentrating on missing persons, I have identified gaps in most cases. However, I am generally not overly critical, why? Because I understand reality and the limitations and pressures in which police work. I also understand that it is the front-line officer who is usually the target for criticism, which is often

Murdered or Lost -  clarifying the missing? (Three years down the track) There have always been ‘lone wolf’ stories of mostly men who...

Everything in life is a ‘Maybe, even where we think we have a considerable degree of control of direction and choice.  Many things we do...

(Adapted front cover image of Tom Patterson’s 2022 book of the incredible story of Mark May) If there ever was one book that could be...