New Brunswick

1
New Brunswick

• Introduction to
• Clue Awareness and Human Tracking for Search and
  Rescue Volunteers

2
The Past

• Sole purpose of finding the lost subject.
• Clues were missed.
• Search incidents tended to last longer.
• Often ending with injury or death of the subject.
  

3
Clue Awareness

• Uncertainty can only be resolved with
  information.
• Clues are the source of the information.
• A clue is a sign or message.
• A clue is any bit of information that contributes
  to the reduction of uncertainty.

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Clues can answer more specific questions.

• Which direction did the subject travel from the
  point last seen.(PLS)?
• What were their intentions or trip plans?
• How far can we reasonably expect someone like to
  go?

5
Clues can answer more specific questions.

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

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What is a clue?

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

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Modern Search Theory

• Clue-seeking rather than subject- seeking.
• Many more clues than lost subjects.

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The principles of clue awareness are as follows

• Clues are messages.
• The subject is a clue generator.
• The searcher is a clue seeker.
• The search area should contain many clues.
• The absence of clues is also a clue.

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Clues are messages

• Present location of the subject. (Subject found)
• Previous location of the subject. (Clue found)
• Destination or intent of the subject. (Clue
  found)
• Subject was never there. (No clue)

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Four categories for clues

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

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Clue oriented search

• Monitor the search area for changes.
• Clues are fragile and ephemeral.
• The search area is volatile.
• A set of footprints in the search area may
  contain different messages.

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The subject is a clue generator

• Subject are sign generators.
• Multiple signal generators. (Family, Public and
  other searchers)
• Time period that the subject have been lost.
  (Estimate search area size)
• Their intent or destination.

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The searcher is a clue seeker

• Searchers must be in the search area.
• An overall strategy is needed to assume that all
  pertinent and significant areas are identified.
• We must follow up on various common clues
• Immediately notify the Command post of a
  clue/message received
• Through group action, try to evaluate the
  clue/message in the field and
• Act upon the interpreted message in consultation
  with the Command post.

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The search area should contain many clues

• Positive steps are required to assure that the
  lost subject does not leave the search area.
• The area is extended to include all clues.
• Consideration of whether the subject is involved
  in a crime, remember that a crime is seldom a
  cause of persons becoming lost or missing.

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The absence of clues is also a clue

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

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Human Tracking for Search and Rescue Volunteers

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

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

• The signs might be discarded clothing, a lost
  hat, a water bottle or candy rappers.
• Some of the clues left behind by a lost person
  are harder to find. These include broken twigs,
  bruised vegetation and compressed leaves left
  behind as their foot strikes the ground.

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Subject's point last seen (PLS)
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Initial responders

• Sex.
• Age.
• Size.
• Weight.
• Hair color.
• Clothing worn (foot wear).

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Drawing of the sole or lug pattern

• A detailed description of the footprint
• A detailed drawing of the footprint should
  include
• Overall length
• Length of heel
• Width of the ball of the foot
• Width of the heel

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Using a tracking stick
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The method of tracking a lost person
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What to look for when tracking a lost person
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Observe the shadows
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Observe the shadows