INSTINCTIVE FLIGHT SYNDROME:
When fleeing from the scene of crime suspects are known by police to exhibit similar tendencies while attempting to avoid arrest. These traits are of particular interest to the police canine handler as he along with his canine are usually the first to begin searching for the suspect. By studying and becoming acquainted with these patterns you can hopefully gain a better knowledge of your prey and may increase your track capture rate. Any canine officer who has had track arrests will agree the below results are quite accurate. On occasion though you will have the displeasure of tracking a suspect who seems to defy all of the tendencies described in this outline. When this is the case, it is then that you must depend entirely on your canine’s olfactory capabilities to make the capture. During the 1980’s the Calgary Police Service, Alberta, Canada in conjunction with the University of Calgary conducted numerous studies on human flight patterns. Information was gathered from several canine handlers with actual track arrests. Training tracks were used as well to gather the noted information. Results were from tracks during all hours of the day and night and in all weather conditions. The pattern of escape that any fleeing suspect takes is almost identical from person to person. Research shows that when a person is fleeing a crime scene they will display certain patterns of escape so consistent that deployment of street personnel and canine teams can actually get a head start on the direction taken by a fleeing criminal. Because of the way the human brain works, almost everyone with few exceptions will react in a similar manner when put under pressure to escape. When a person commits a crime and flees a crime scene the subconscious mental processes will take over. Understanding the pattern will greatly enhance the capture of the suspect. It is the job of the desk sergeant and the patrol officers to interrupt this instinctive and instantaneous flight syndrome. If this can be done then it forces the suspect to stop and think about his actions and patterns of flight. Once this is done then there is a high likelihood that the suspect will go to the ground, effectively stopping his flight in order to think about his next move. The more containment officers force the suspect to think, the more likely he will stay to the ground.
Common Escape Maneuvers:
Suspects tend to keep moving during the day but will lay up more often at night. In residential areas it will usually be under a house if possible and will usually depend on if there is any police presence nearby. At night humans will tend to move toward light as they flee and most likely take the least path of resistance (especially in wooded areas).
A suspect exiting a doorway will go left on an outward opening door and go right on an inward opening door. Suspects hide on the right side of trails, alleys, streets, etc: ninety percent (90%) of the time. When crossing a street to an alley, or vice versa, the suspect will use the right side of a house. Running down an alley or a street the suspect will use the right side. In going to the ground in an alley he will use the right side. In almost all cases, the suspects first turn will be to the left, followed by a series of consecutive right turns. If a suspect can be forced by police containment to continually make left turns, he will panic and go to the ground. When going over a fence the suspect will go left first, then correct and go to the right. Evidence discarded or thrown by the suspect will normally be tossed on the right side of the track. Two (2) or more suspects running together will generally go to the ground faster than a person travelling alone. Should one suspect be apprehended, the second suspect will often stay close to the scene. When one suspect is apprehended, either at the scene or any distance away do not remove him from the area. Secure him in the vehicle with the light on so he can be seen. The second subject will return to the area to have a look to see what is going on. This increases his chance of capture greatly. The suspect usually making a wide circle to the right accomplishes this. Encourage the officers to keep the arrested suspect at the scene, the curiosity of the second suspect will bring him back to have a look. If the first suspect is removed then the second suspect will resume his flight path. Exiting a vehicle (lone occupant) will almost always turn to the right across the front of the vehicle. Two (2) culprits running together will stay together and go to the ground quicker. Two (2) culprits running in different directions from a vehicle will also go to the ground separately. Eighty percent (80%) of urban tracks terminate within four blocks.