Integrating Tracking into a Search Plan

[Robert Bradley]

I have recently been thinking about what is the best way to integrate Tracking and Trackers into a Search Plan.

It is obvious to me that it is best to place any Trackers available in the place/position which makes the best of their skills. However, sometimes this would be in a search team out "in the field" where they can search, but can also be on hand to look for clues, track and sign and age them appropriately, if they were found. At other times it would be more appropriate and a better use of any Trackers to have them working a "Tracker" team - finding a direction of travel early in the search etc..

I work mainly with Lowland Search teams in the UK. They deal predominantly with vulnerable missing persons (despondents and mispers with dementia) in urban and sub-urban areas.

In the majority of these searches I would suggest that it is best to have Trackers out in the field working with the teams.

However, there are a number of incidents where a Tracking Team could and should be deployed; for instance a despondent whose car has been found in a woodland/beauty spot car park.

Does anyone here have any guidelines on how they use trackers?
Any thoughts on where it would be best to put them?

[saoirse2010]

depends what you would class as a Tracker , I thought we All were Trackers without looking for any more, only trackers that I see should have a Say is 117/118/ they need proper Co-ordination on ground to eliminate team from Casualty .

[SARHound]

"I thought we All were Trackers without looking for any more"

Trackers are a sub group on your team that has specific training in man tracking, no different than a ropes group or medical group etc... They have taken and are certified to track. Yes, we are all trackers to some extent however a trained man tracker can track well beyond the ability of the average team member.

When and where to deploy them is the dilemma. They tend to be slow and methodical. I dont deploy mine until I have a high probability track for them to follow or I need them to sign cut a boundary.

They get deployed early in a search before the area is too contaminated (cops grrr) usually.

Hound

[Shadow]

I represent Shadowhawk Tracker School. I am very interested in this thread, although I am unable to go into detail at the moment( due to time constaints) I will do a reply in the near future which will help with guidance on deployment of trackers.
Thanks