New Brunswick
Introduction to
Clue Awareness and Human
Tracking for Search and Rescue
Volunteers
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.
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.
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?
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?
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.
Modern Search Theory
Clue-seeking rather than subject- seeking.
Many more clues than lost subjects.
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.
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)
Four categories for clues
Physical (an item or event)
Documentary (a written clue)
Testimonial (statement by other persons)
Analytical (the results of reasoning)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Human Tracking for Search
and Rescue Volunteers
Human Tracking is probably the single
most important skill any professional
searcher can develop.
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.
Subject's point last seen (PLS)
Initial responders
•Sex.
•Age.
•Size.
•Weight.
•Hair color.
•Clothing worn (foot wear).
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
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