James David Barrett · Prevention of Future Deaths report

On 18th August 2015 I commenced an investigation into the death of James David Barrett, age 66. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 5th February 2016. The conclusion of the inquest was:
- Medical cause of death:
1a) Severe Ketoacidosis and Hypothermia
2) Alzheimer's Dementia and Diabetes Mellitus
- Coroner's conclusion as to the death:
Death due to an Accident.

On 7th August 2015 James David Barrett, who suffered from Alzheimer's Dementia, went missing from his home. Despite a missing person search having been instituted by the emergency services on 8th August 2015, he was not found until 13th August 2015. He was pronounced deceased at the scene of his discovery by an attending police officer at 15.10 hours that day.

The matters that concern me relate to issues raised in a report given to me at the Inquest by Sergeant 2637 Turner of Hampshire Constabulary. I attach a copy of his report upon which I have highlighted these issues.
If the mapping of the search for Mr Barrett had been completed on one mapping system, I believe the search for him could have been conducted more quickly and effectively. This could be done in future if the police search advisers had available to them a stand-alone mapping system rather than relying on a volunteer organisation to map out searches. I was told that a bid for such a mapping system by the police search team has been turned down by Hampshire Constabulary and I would ask that this decision be reviewed in the light of the circumstances of Mr Barrett's death.
I was also told that the search for Mr Barrett could have been more effective if searchers had been equipped with tracking devices which would allow search organisers to see precisely where searchers had looked for him. I should be grateful if Hampshire Police could consider obtaining there devices for use in missing persons searches.