New BrunswickNew Brunswick

Introduction toIntroduction toClue Awareness and Human Clue Awareness and Human

Tracking for Search and Rescue Tracking for Search and Rescue VolunteersVolunteers

The PastThe Past

Sole purpose of finding the lost subject.Sole purpose of finding the lost subject.

Clues were missed. Clues were missed.

Search incidents tended to last longer. Search incidents tended to last longer.

Often ending with injury or death of the Often ending with injury or death of the subjectsubject..

Clue AwarenessClue Awareness

Uncertainty can only be resolved with Uncertainty can only be resolved with information.information.

Clues are the source of the information.Clues are the source of the information.

A clue is a sign or message. A clue is a sign or message.

A clue is any bit of information that A clue is any bit of information that contributes to the reduction of uncertainty.contributes to the reduction of uncertainty.

Clues can answer more Clues can answer more specific questions.specific questions.

Which direction did the subject travel from Which direction did the subject travel from the point last seen.(PLS)?the point last seen.(PLS)?

What were their intentions or trip plans?What were their intentions or trip plans?

How far can we reasonably expect someone How far can we reasonably expect someone like to go?like to go?

Clues can answer more Clues can answer more specific questions.specific questions.

What parts of the search area has the What parts of the search area has the subject past through?subject past through?

What parts of the search area has the What parts of the search area has the subject not past through?subject not past through?

What is a “clue”?What is a “clue”?

A “clue” is a fact, an object, information or A “clue” is a fact, an object, information or some type of evidence that helps to solve a some type of evidence that helps to solve a mystery or problem.mystery or problem.

Modern Search TheoryModern Search Theory

Clue-seeking rather than subject- seeking.Clue-seeking rather than subject- seeking.

Many more clues than lost subjects. Many more clues than lost subjects.

The principles of clue The principles of clue awareness are as follows:awareness are as follows:

Clues are messages.Clues are messages.

The subject is a clue generator.The subject is a clue generator.

The searcher is a clue seeker.The searcher is a clue seeker.

The search area should contain many clues.The search area should contain many clues.

The absence of clues is also a clue.The absence of clues is also a clue.

Clues are messagesClues are messages

Present location of the subject. (Subject found)Present location of the subject. (Subject found)

Previous location of the subject. (Clue found)Previous location of the subject. (Clue found)

Destination or intent of the subject. (Clue found)Destination or intent of the subject. (Clue found)

Subject was never there. (No clue)Subject was never there. (No clue)

Four categories for cluesFour categories for clues

Physical (an item or event)Physical (an item or event) Documentary (a written clue)Documentary (a written clue) Testimonial (statement by other persons)Testimonial (statement by other persons) Analytical (the results of reasoning) Analytical (the results of reasoning)

Clue oriented searchClue oriented search

Monitor the search area for changes.Monitor the search area for changes.

Clues are fragile and ephemeral. Clues are fragile and ephemeral.

The search area is volatile.The search area is volatile.

A set of footprints in the search area may A set of footprints in the search area may contain different messages.contain different messages.

The subject is a clue generatorThe subject is a clue generator

Subject are “sign” generators. Subject are “sign” generators.

Multiple signal generators. (Family, Public Multiple signal generators. (Family, Public and other searchers) and other searchers)

Time period that the subject have been lost. Time period that the subject have been lost. (Estimate search area size) (Estimate search area size)

Their intent or destination. Their intent or destination.

The searcher is a clue seekerThe searcher is a clue seeker Searchers must be in the search area.Searchers must be in the search area.

An overall strategy is needed to assume that all An overall strategy is needed to assume that all pertinent and significant areas are identified.pertinent and significant areas are identified.

We must follow up on various common clues:We must follow up on various common clues:–Immediately notify the Command post of a Immediately notify the Command post of a clue/message received; clue/message received; –Through group action, try to evaluate the Through group action, try to evaluate the clue/message in the field; and clue/message in the field; and –Act upon the interpreted message in consultation Act upon the interpreted message in consultation with the Command post. with the Command post.

The search area should The search area should contain many cluescontain many clues

Positive steps are required to assure that the Positive steps are required to assure that the lost subject does not leave the search area.lost subject does not leave the search area.

The area is extended to include all clues.The area is extended to include all clues.

Consideration of whether the subject is Consideration of whether the subject is involved in a crime, remember that a crime is involved in a crime, remember that a crime is seldom a cause of persons becoming lost or seldom a cause of persons becoming lost or missing.missing.

The absence of clues The absence of clues is also a clueis also a clue

Knowing where the subject has not been is Knowing where the subject has not been is extremely important information when extremely important information when narrowing down the search area. narrowing down the search area.

Human Tracking for Search Human Tracking for Search and Rescue Volunteersand Rescue Volunteers

Human Tracking is probably the single Human Tracking is probably the single most important skill any professional most important skill any professional searcher can develop.searcher can develop.

What Constitutes a "Sign" What Constitutes a "Sign" and the Importance of and the Importance of "Track Awareness.”"Track Awareness.”

The signs might be discarded clothing, a lost The signs might be discarded clothing, a lost hat, a water bottle or candy rappers. hat, a water bottle or candy rappers.

Some of the clues left behind by a lost person Some of the clues left behind by a lost person are harder to find. These include broken twigs, are harder to find. These include broken twigs, bruised vegetation and compressed leaves left bruised vegetation and compressed leaves left behind as their foot strikes the ground. behind as their foot strikes the ground.

Subject's point last seen (PLS)

Initial responders•Sex.

•Age.

•Size.

•Weight.

•Hair color.

•Clothing worn (foot wear).

Drawing of the sole Drawing of the sole or lug patternor lug pattern

A detailed description of the footprintA detailed description of the footprint

A detailed drawing of the footprint should A detailed drawing of the footprint should include:include:

– Overall lengthOverall length– Length of heelLength of heel– Width of the ball of the footWidth of the ball of the foot– Width of the heelWidth of the heel

Using a tracking stick

The method of tracking a lost person

What to look for when tracking a lost person

Observe the shadows

Observe the shadows