MISSPER

MISSPER is a missing and unsolved investigative support service, that works with families helping to find answers to their loved ones’ disappearance or murder.
Student working on computer.

About the MISSPER Unit

MISSPER provides Leeds Trinity students with a unique opportunity to work on real-life cases across the UK and abroad, find new lines of inquiry and help families find answers and closure to their loved ones’ disappearance or murder.

MISSPER is a truly collaborative project open to students across the University. The Unit currently consists of students from the School of Criminology, Investigation and Policing, the School of Psychology, and the Law School. The collaboration between the different disciplines is a real benefit to the families of real-life cases.

Through student-led teams, MISSPER provides an independent review of unsolved murders and long-term missing persons. The Unit complements ongoing police investigative efforts and looks to “modernise” inquiries to ensure all lines of inquiry, recommendations, and future work are effective in trying to find answers for the families.

MISSPER is the only Cold Case Unit that works with families, for the families. The Unit informs police forces of their findings but remains impartial. Cases will only be investigated if families request the service, with the newest case coming from Panama.

MISSPER provides our students with real experience of investigations and supports secondary victims of unsolved and long-term missing persons cases. Secondary victims are often omitted from the policies and practices underpinning the work of agencies within the Criminal Justice System. Yet, they experience exacerbated trauma when they continue to try and find answers and justice, over long periods of time. I am proud to lead MISSPER providing a unique opportunity for students to gain experience of real-life cases from across the country and to also provide a little hope for families.

Dr Kirsty Bennett
MISSPER Lead and Senior Lecturer in Policing
Staff image of Dr Kirsty Bennett.

How MISSPER works

Once a case is approved, the family members will come in and meet the team. Students get the chance to hear the case overview from the family and ask questions to understand their perspectives. After the initial meeting, the student teams, supervised by experienced academic staff, are responsible for reviewing and investigating the case in question.

The teams are motivated and empowered to challenge the case hypothesis and will have the opportunity to view and utilise evidence from the original case files (with approval from the families). Depending on the case, evidence such as coroners’ reports, police interviews, undercover recordings, prison files etc could be requested and investigated.

Hear from our students on their experiences working on MISSPER cases.

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What our students say

"I'm really enjoying the MISSPER unit this year! It's been eye-opening to discover all the new resources available. Collaborating with students in higher years has been a fantastic experience, allowing me to learn so much from them and explore different ideas and theories together."

Caitin Elsey, Policing and Investigation BA (Hons)

"I have found the MISSPER unit to be one of the best experiences I have had at the University so far. It's been fulfilling to support families in their time of need, and the people I have met on the unit have been inspiring and so supportive."

Erin Hartley, Criminology and Law BA (Hons)

"I enjoy being a part of the Missing and Unsolved Investigative Support Service as it gives me a chance to possibly give families a possible answer or suggestion regarding their family member. MISSPER also allows me to gain an investigative mindset and learn leadership and communication skills, which will be helpful for my aspiring career once I graduate."

Abbie Smith, Professional Policing BA (Hons)

"MISSPER has provided me with such amazing opportunities and learning experiences. I've been able to investigate and contribute to helping solve cases. This is something I never thought I’d be able to do, especially at this age. The unit has provided me with amazing support and taught me how to use different techniques online to find information to help solve the case. Being able to contribute to helping find missing people is incredible."

Jessie Grant, Criminology BA (Hons)

Outcomes

MISSPER aims to provide hope and advocate for the family members of unsolved long-term missing/murdered family members and potentially give the families another line of inquiry regarding their ongoing case.

Students start as investigative officers and can work up to become mentors, assistant team leaders, and team leaders. The benefits to the students involved are vast, from developing their research skills to learning how to work in and lead teams, and enhancing communication styles while learning to advocate for families and police forces. Facilitating communications between the two parties will be vital to the case's success.

Taking part in MISSPER will also make you employability-ready as you’ll develop and hone your communication, facilitation, advocacy skills, problem-solving, and teamwork style.

Get in touch

For more information on MISSPER, contact Dr Kirsty Bennett

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