ABSTRACT
Although child abduction/homicides comprise less than 1% of all murders (Hanfland et al., 1997), these cases are extremely high profile. Public and media attention is often overwhelming and national in scope. The value placed on children by families, communities, and entire societies often results in a greatly heightened public focus during child abduction cases. The overwhelming attention and concern generated when a child is abducted produce intense internal and external scrutiny during law enforcement investigations. Law enforcement agencies are routinely faced with strained resources, an immediate and intense demand for answers, and the seemingly insurmountable task of attempting to locate and safely return victims. In child abduction cases, the ability to rapidly locate, recover, and return victims to loved ones becomes crucial for the law enforcement community.
