A Tale of Two Precincts: an Exploratory Institutional Ethnography of Missing Persons Cases in Two Alabama Sheriff's Departments

Abstract

Electronic Thesis or DissertationIn my thesis, I explore the institutional processes and disparities in missing persons casework across two sheriff’s departments in Alabama. This research has the potential to significantly impact law enforcement practices and the lives of those affected by cases of missing persons. Using a combination of institutional ethnography and structural violence theory, my study compares a well-resourced urban county (County A) with an under-resourced rural county (County B). Data were collected through interviews with field investigators, analysis of missing persons reports, and public case data, including social media posts made by each department. At first glance, the findings reveal significant disparities in case outcomes based on institutional resources, community engagement, and race, as well as the urgency of addressing these issues. Instead of a purely quantitative approach, the ethnographies of the two departments in these counties give context to the publicly available data, providing a more comprehensive understanding of cases of missing persons. County A demonstrated a systemic approach to cases of missing persons, utilizing advanced technologies, public outreach, and social media, leading to higher success rates in case resolutions, particularly after 2011. In contrast, County B, constrained by limited resources and external reliance on media outreach, may seem to exhibit a community-based approach, with fewer publicly reported cases and a lower resolution rate due to the invisibility of their caseloads.My research draws attention to the need for increased funding and structural reforms to address these disparities, particularly in rural and marginalized communities. It also emphasizes the importance of community engagement and modern investigative tools, such as social media, in resolving cases of missing persons. My thesis concludes by offering recommendations for policy changes and future research to address the systemic inequalities that continue to impact missing persons investigations in Alabama and beyond. My study highlights context within data disparities, combining structural violence frameworks and institutional ethnography to understand the “how’s” and “why’s” of missing person investigations