As soon as the first responding officer has verified that a child is missing, a first-line supervisor should assume command of the scene and the investigation in order to assure that evidence is safeguarded and that the search for the missing child proceeds in an orderly fashion. On-scene investigation is particularly important in cases involving lost children and those who may have been abducted by strangers. The tasks to be filled by a supervisor include obtaining briefings and written reports from personnel at the scene, determining if additional personnel are needed to assist in the investigation, establishing a telephone hotline, establishing a management system to prioritize leads, determining if outside assistance is needed, ensuring that all required resources and assistance necessary to conduct an efficient investigation have been requested, establishing a command post as close to the scene as possible, establishing a search team, ensuring that all required notifications are made, ensuring that all agency policies and procedures are followed, conducting a criminal history check on all suspects, and using media to assist in the search. The article also outlines eight steps which the investigative officer should follow to help ensure a successful outcome in a missing/abducted child case in which a non-family member is involved. 1 note