I am a PhD candidate within the Centre for Person-centred Practise research at Queen Margaret University. My research, using multiple methods, is exploring with people living with dementia a person-centred means of gathering a record of their techniques for navigating outdoors in their community. This research aims to support, people with dementia to continue living in their community and Police practise should the person go missing. This record would bring the person’s voice into the information available to Search managers as they develop the search strategy.

I am a retired police officer with experience in response and specialist policing. I continue as a Special Constable in the training and support of current officers in missing person and other specialist search.