IPCO Annual Report 2018
Error Investigation 4
Police Force
Human or Technical:
Human (Record Keeping)
Classification:
Incorrect Business Records
Data Acquired:
Location information
Description:
Police trying to locate a missing person who had indicated they
intended to take their own life applied to acquire CD that could be
used to identify a general location in which to focus their search. The
telephone number used on the application had been associated to
the missing person from an historic police record. The data returned
related to an unconnected address and failed to assist in locating
the missing person. The police reviewed the source record and after
further enquiries established that when the record was created in
2015, an incorrect digit had been used when entering the telephone
number. The missing person was later found deceased resulting in a
referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct and a subsequent
investigation into potential police failings.
Consequence:
The IPC decided that this error amounted to serious error (within the
meaning of section 231 IPA). Accordingly, IPCO notified the affected
person of the fact of the serious error and of that person’s right to
apply to the Investigatory Powers Tribunal.
Error Investigation 5
Police Force
Human or Technical:
Human (Applicant)
Classification:
Misinterpretation of data (Facebook Profile).
Data Acquired:
Subscriber information relating to an Internet Protocol Address
Resolution
Description:
Police Officers trying to locate a person for whom welfare concerns
had been raised, identified what they believed was their Facebook
profile and as this was an urgent request, no verification of the profile
identification was carried out. Data was sought to identify addresses
from which this Facebook account had been accessed using the
internet. The data returned identified an address that was visited by
officers. On arrival it was established the person living at the address
had the same name as the missing person but was not involved. It
transpired that the two Facebook profiles were identical in name, but
separated by a numerical suffix.
Consequence:
Police visited the premise of an individual unconnected to their search
which delayed the welfare check. The missing person was subsequently
found safe and well.
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