Episode 6 of the Missing Persons Research Hub podcast features Cpl. Jennifer Sparkes. "Systemic issues associated to risk assessment, unnecessary barriers, poor communication, lack of consultation, failure to triage...” the list of criticisms of police management of missing person investigations is long and familiar. Cpl. Jennifer Sparkes of the RCMP joins us to share how her District mitigates these concerns and directly accounts for each and every missing person investigation in their geographic region using a consistent and coordinated approach to oversight.  Using specialized resources to support and connect police, partners, and families across multiple jurisdictions, this regional model provides an easily accessible communication and information hub for all aspects of missing person investigations. By assessing each case through a consistent lens and advancing investigations in a coordinated fashion, this approach provides complete accountability through readily available, directly-sourced information, some of which challenges widely-held assumptions and beliefs. The result is an evidence-based foundation for the development of protocols, policies, and best practices, with impacts spanning from effective resolution of cases to efficient utilization of police resources to accurately informing public perception.

Cpl. Jennifer Sparkes, who has been an RCMP investigator for 20 years and has spent the past 8 years exclusively specializing in missing person investigations. Cpl. Sparkes is the District Missing Persons and Unidentified Human Remains Coordinator for “E” Division Southeast District, based in Kelowna, British Columbia.

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Follow the Hub on Twitter @MPRHCanada and Instagram @MPRHCanada, or check out www.missingpersonsresearchhub.com.

The Missing Persons Research Hub (the Hub) is a national networking forum and research hub for the field of missing persons in Canada. This podcast is hosted by Lorna Ferguson (@LFrgsn) and features a variety of personnel involved in missing persons work across Canada.

Episode 5 of the Missing Persons Research Hub Podcast features Dr. Laura Huey discussing breaking news on the release of the Independent Civilian Review into Missing Person Investigations at Toronto Police Service. Dr. Huey and I have an exceedingly honest conversation and try to answer the question of: will this Review be helpful? We discuss some of the comments and recommendations made throughout the press conference from yesterday (April 13, 2021), and speak bluntly from the perspective of scholars in this field. We then end with some positive comments and key considerations for preventing missingness. 

From The Independent Civilian Review into Missing Person Investigations:

"The Independent Civilian Review into Missing Person Investigations (the “Review”) was prompted by the tragic deaths of members of Toronto’s LGBTQ2S+ communities and by deep concerns about how the Toronto Police Service (the “TPS”) conducted the investigations into their disappearances.

The Review has been asked to evaluate how the TPS has conducted and is conducting missing person investigations, particularly in relation to LGBTQ2S+ and vulnerable or marginalized communities. The Review has also been asked to make recommendations to promote not only efficient, effective and bias-free investigations, but also better police relations with affected communities. Most important of all, the Review is intended to help bring the community together in looking for answers and fashioning new directions for the future."

Find here: https://www.missingpersonsreview.ca/

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Follow the Hub on Twitter @MPRHCanada and Instagram @MPRHCanada, or check out www.missingpersonsresearchhub.com.

The Missing Persons Research Hub (the Hub) is a national networking forum and research hub for the field of missing persons in Canada. This podcast is hosted by Lorna Ferguson (@LFrgsn) and features a variety of personnel involved in missing persons work across Canada.

Episode 4 of the Missing Persons Research Hub Podcast features Tyler Hooper, the creator of The Missing and Unexplained Podcast. In this episode, Tyler discusses the pros and cons of podcasting in the field of missing persons, highlighting how missing persons and true crime podcasts can both be harmful and helpful. For example, the misinformation and sensationalism often rampant in these types of podcasts has the potential to negatively impact missing person cases. We also talk about how podcasting/podcasters and research/researchers are at a crossroads: can these two distinct but related areas in the field of missing persons work together to collaborate, educate, and bring about greater awareness, and, if so, how?? Tune in to find out.

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Speaker bio:

Tyler Hooper loves telling stories, particularly long-form stories that involve history, the environment, crime, or quirky people. Recently he started his own podcast titled “The Missing and Unexplained Podcast” which primarily looks at missing persons cases and in the future will delve into other topics. You can also listen to the podcast anywhere you get your podcasts.

Personal Website: https://tylerhooperw.com/

Podcast: https://missingunexplainedpod.buzzsprout.com/

Podcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MissingUnexplainedPod

Podcast Twitter: https://twitter.com/missingXpod

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Follow the Hub on Twitter @MPRHCanada and Instagram @MPRHCanada, or check out www.missingpersonsresearchhub.com.

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The Missing Persons Research Hub (the Hub) is a national networking forum and research hub for the field of missing persons in Canada. This podcast is hosted by Lorna Ferguson (@LFrgsn) and features a variety of personnel involved in missing persons work across Canada.