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Benton County Emergency Management
Basic Search and Rescue Course
Tracking
I. Introduction and History
Universal Tracking Services (UTS)
rack Awareness
Advanced Tracking Degrees
About UTS Course and Certifications
II. Why Tracking, and when to Track?
Tracking Video: UTS
III. Slide Show and Discussion
IV. Field Preparation.
Supplies needed out in the field.
a. Pencil,
b. Paper or “Foot Information Card,”
c. Flashlight,
d. Biodegradable flagging tape,
d. Tracking stick, and
e. Tape measure (2-3’, rigid).
Communication between teams
Proper procedures for traveling in the field.
Reading/Reference:
“Tracking, a Blueprint for Learning How,” by Jack Kearney, Pathway Press,
El Cajon, California
Handouts
“Sign Cutting Awareness in Oregon: History”
“Tracking”
“Tracking Glossary”
“Tracking Program: Aids to Sign Cutting,” Universal Tracking Services,
Inc.
“Information Obtainable by Sign Cutting”
NOTES
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Benton County Emergency Management
Basic Search and Rescue Course
Tracking
“Lost: Tracking?”
“The Tracking Stick”
“Tracking Team - 3 Person”
“Track Identification”
Shoe Pattern Report Forms - 2
“Sole and Heel Identification,” Oregon Emergency Management Division
“Use of the Tracking Stick”
“The 3 Man Tracking Team”
“Traveling in the Field”
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The following pages are from Universal Tracking Service, Inc. Track Aware manual
“Sign Cutting” Awareness in Oregon
- History -
During the Spring of 1977, Chairman Frank G. Heyl and Chairman-Elect, Colonel Gale P. Goyins,
of the State of Oregon Search and Rescue Advisory Council, while representing Oregon’s SAR
program took in a demonstration of “Man Tracking” training. The expertise of the U.S. Border
Patrol Officers and particularly of Abe Taylor, Jack Kearney, and Joe Hardin, were being explained
to SAR personnel throughout the Western States.
Frank and Gale set up the first Tracking Seminar in Oregon in October of 1977, held at Camp
Hancock, near Clarno, Oregon. Each of the three U.S. Border Patrol instructors returned to Oregon
in the Spring of 1978 (Camp Rilea) and Fall of 1978 (Camp Lily White). Beginning with the fourth
seminar, held in June of 1979 at Diamond Lake, Joe Hardin was the only Chief Instructor.
This program has continued to be sponsored by the SAR Advisory Council at least once a year,
sometimes twice a year. The SAR Advisory Council attempts to offer the seminar at different
locations throughout the state, rotating north and south, east and west.
The initial emphasis was training for SAR personnel as a technique for searching for and locating
lost persons. More recently, attendance has included more and more Law Enforcement personnel.
Criminal reports from Law Enforcement Agencies indicate using the technique of Sign Cutting in all
types of situations from homicide, rape, and runaway, to burglary.
Many of the persons involved have participated in most of the seminars, allowing for advancement
of their skills and development of Sign Cutter expertise. Some of these persons have developed into
very effective instructors and assistant instructors, allowing Joel Hardin, as Chief Instructor, to
utilize them in training. Over years of training, particularly by repeat attendants, a trend has
developed that gives justification to the theory that expertise as a Sign Cutter comes not only from
the adept and persistent trainee, but also from the repeat and continuous practice of the skills and
techniques.
Skill starts with awareness as a sign cutter. It develops into analysis and interpretation, and on to
intelligence and evaluation of signs for discerning of enemy presence, existence of physical
characteristics, mental attitudes, stress, thoughts and impressions of the subject’s feelings. Such
evaluations are of significant importance, particularly in Military applications. It is anticipated that
future programs will emphasize training directed to specific areas of interest: Search and Rescue,
Law Enforcement, Industrial Security, Military, Intelligence and Counter Intelligence, etc.
You are encouraged to hone and practice your skills at home, on your own, or with a smaller group
to develop and maintain your tracking “eye.”
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T R A C K I N G
Why Tracking?
1. Tracking is a great aid to any gathering process.
2. Tracking is an outstanding information gathering technique.
Tracks are clues, and by far the most plentiful type of clue a lost person or law violator will leave
behind. Humans cannot walk across the face of the earth without leaving some evidence that s/he
has been there. In tracking seminars, you will learn to identify the various types of “signs” left by
the person you are looking for.
To the eye of an experienced tracker, a bit of evidence will appear just about every place that a
person s/he is seeking has moved. In ideal circumstances this means a clue is just about every 18 to
20 inches.
The information that can be assembled by a tracker who finds no other evidence than tracks, can
sometimes recreate an entire chain of events. An experienced tracker can not only determine the
direction of travel, but can also provide information as to how long ago the person was in the area,
estimate weight, tell if they were looking back to see if they were followed, whether they were
running or walking, etc.
An excellent publication to read, and the one this material was gathered from is the book, “Tracking,
a Blueprint for Learning How,” by Jack Kearney, Pathway Press, El Cajon, California.
Material Needed for Tracking
1. Tracking Stick: at least three feet long with several “O” rings attached as measuring devices.
A tracking stick is not a walking stick. Most walking sticks are too big to be handled easily
for tracking purposes.
2. Small Measuring Tape: every tracker should carry some type of measuring device.
3. Note Pad, Pencil: a small note pad and pencil should be carried and easily accessible to
record measurements, notes and drawings of tracks/track patterns.
4. Flashlight: a must when tracking at night, low light conditions, or heavily forested areas.
Light is vital to vision, vision is vital to tracking. A three cell light works best. Avoid a five
cell light as they are too bright for effective use.
5. Trail Tape: a role of “timber cruisers” tape works well.
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Tracking Teams
The maximum number of persons for a tracking team should be four. You can get by with three, but
it is nice to have the fourth to rotate into the three person team. The designated leader of the team
works as the “point” person, a position that puts the leader slightly ahead of the two flankers.
Point Person
It is the point person’s responsibility to follow the set of tracks and maintain order by seeing to it
that neither flanker gets ahead of the point and thereby in a position to obliterate or damage the
tracks being followed.
Flankers
The first responsibility of the flankers is to watch to the side for another incoming trail and to be sure
the trail the group is following does not make a sudden turn. The flanker’s secondary responsibility
is to assist the point in finding the next track. It is wise to rotate flankers up to the point position
periodically to let the point take an eye rest. Working the point position is very fatiguing, so keep
the team fresh by rotating often. At night it is advisable to have a couple extra team members
working into a position as night tracking is always harder on the eyes. With extra team members,
there is a natural tendency to mingle with the three or four person team - AVOID this as it can cause
serious problems maintaining order. Extra team members should always remain back slightly and
rest their eyes until it is their turn to track.
Tracking Team 3 Person
Indicate responsible field of vision
for each 3 person tracking team member
Point Man
Left Flanker Right Flanker
60o Arc
60o Arc
60o Arc
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A
B
THE THREE MAN TRACKING TEAM
The team must rotate the lead position often to maintain fresh eyes on the area of sign. The flankers job is to look for change of
direction A in the prime sign
and to alert the other team of other sign entering the
area. B As fatigue starts to
set in, the team needs to stand up and back away from the last known sign and take a break
Starting position of the three man trakcing team and indicatestheir area of viewing
responsibility
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Measuring With Your Tracking Stick
There are several ways of utilizing the rubber bands or “O” rings on your tracking stick. Pick a
method that works for you and stick with it. The following is an example of one common
method:
THE TRACKING STICK
STRIDE measurement
from heel to toe
FOOT measurement
Rubber “O” rings or other material is used to keep the
measurement
TRACKING STICK
Tracking sticks are one of the most important tools to the
tracker. A tracking stick can be made from anything you
have available to you. A branch made in the field, a ski
pole is typical, gun cleaning rods, doweling. There are
also tracking sticks made specific for tracking.
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Marking Sign
A great aid in marking sign is the method of placing a small piece of timber cruiser’s tape next to
the outside of each step. In so doing, you can look back and see where each step was taken.
This is especially helpful in criminal cases when photographs are needed. Caution: do not
place any marks or materials for marking in the actual foot impression, this destroys and renders
useless potential vital evidence.
Expert trackers seldom see footprints, but do their tracking following partial tracks, flat spots,
scuffs and bent vegetation. These slight indicators are what trackers call “sign.”
It is impossible to say how far a tracker might have to follow sign before s/he finds a full
footprint that recalls markings that positively identify the person sought, but when these tracks
are found, they should be uniquely marked. This can be done by drawing a circle all the way
around the print or by using brightly colored tape nearby the print.
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Tracking Glossary
Revised May, 1988
Aging: Process of determining time lapse since sign was made, considering vegetation damage,
rain, sun and other natural elements.
Backing: Walking, usually across a road or natural barrier in a backward motion generally in an
attempt to camouflage track by an incorrect direction of travel.
Broken Twigs: Small particles or twigs which are uniquely broken in such a way indicating
damage from human footwear.
Bruising: Footfall damage to vegetation.
Brushing Out: Using a branch, grass or clothing article in an attempt to brush or erase tracks
from an area.
Camouflage: See “Deception.”
Compressed Areas:Areas of ground surface compressed in a manner which gives an indication of
human footfall.
Continuity of Sign: The evidence of footfall in proper sequence along a line of sign, generally
unidentifiable.
Countertracking: Countering a tracker’s efforts to track you.
Crying: The natural weeping of vegetation fluids resulting from damage.
Cutting for Sign: An operation used principally along natural barriers to locate human sign.
Deception (Camouflage): Attempting to confuse, disguise or conceal sign by walking
backwards, brushing out, or other means, to deceive or confuse direction of travel, number of
persons, or presence of sign.
False Trails: Leaving a good trail or sign into a poor sign area, then departing on a another route.
Flagging: Leaves or grass turned in direction of travel, showing the underside surfaces.
Flankers: The two tracking team members to the right and left and behind the point person.
Grass Trail: The bending, intertwining of grass or brush indicating human passage.
Heel Marks: The curved mark or depression on the ground surface made by the walking motion
of the heel portion of the shoe.
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Healing:A process with live vegetation in which damage is repaired, used to age sign.
Light Angle: The correct angle for seeing sign utilizing the primary light source.
Line of Sign: The continuity of sign evidencing human passage.
Littering: Scattered debris, rubbish, or human feces that are sign of human presence.
Natural Barriers: Areas such as streams, banks, roads, which generally interrupt human passage
and show sign well.
P.L.S.: Place where witness or evidence indicates victim or suspect was last seen.
Perimeters Cut: A sign cut method of limiting a search area or locating sign along natural
barriers.
Point Person: The principle tracking person who is in front of other team members and generally
on the ground identifying each footprint step-by-step.
Prime Sign Area: The area of correct size and location in relation to other sign, in which the next
print should be located.
Sand Trap: Dirt areas, occurring naturally or man-made which, by their nature, show sign well.
Scuff Mark: The mark or sign caused by footgear contacting the ground surface.
Shine: The light reflection from surfaces of grasses, vegetation and ground, bent or compressed
at a different angle or compaction than the surrounding area.
Sign Cutting: The skill of locating, following and identifying evidence of human presence or
passage.
Stride Interval: Sign cut measurement from tip of toe of one normal walking step to back of heel
of the next successive step.
Toe Digs: The indented mark or sign left in a normal walking motion when one foot propels the
body forward.
Tracking Team: Ideally, a three to four person team (one relief person), each with a specific
function, following a line of sign.
Transfers: The evidence of dirt or debris being carried by footgear and redeposited on
succeeding footfalls.
Signature Track: Footprint evidence clearly displaying unique characteristics so as to be
unmistakably identifiable.
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Universal Tracking Services Inc.
TRACKING PROGRAM
AIDS TO SIGN CUTTING
A supplement to the Universal Tracking Service’s, Inc. Tracking Program glossary of
tracking terminology. This addition to the glossary contains additional tracking aids
helpful to students and which will indicate presence or passage of persons.
1. Grass, leaves, sticks or debris kicked by footfalls and indicating direction
of travel.
2. Vines, grass or weeds bent in elongated oval shapes, or other unnatural
formations may indicate human passage from footfalls or pushing aside.
3. Sap coming from breaks, cuts, scrape. and bruising of plants may indicate
footfall damage.
4. Dew or moisture knocked from plant surfaces in regular footfall intervals
or shapes.
5. Dry ground surfaces exposed at regular footfall intervals after rain or
periods of heavy moisture.
6. Color change to vegetation or ground .surface at regular interval., may be
caused. by compression of surf ace by footfalls.
7. Vegetation damage at regular interval. indicated by darkened surfaces
after a frost.
8. Texture change of frost or frozen ground surf aces in size and shape of
footfalls.
9. Fallen leaves which show signs of weathering are turned, flipped or tipped
to expose the contrasting underside surfaces.
10. Broken cobwebs or other insect or animal disturbance may be indications.
11. Stride measurement will lengthen when going downhill.
12. Stride measurement will shorten when going uphill.
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INFORMATION OBTAINABLE BY SIGN CUTTING
A visual tracker should be able to determine some of all of the following information:
1. Direction of travel.
2. Speed of movement.
3. Age of tracks.
4. Is the individual lost?
5. If not lost, what is the objective or goal?
6. Number in party.
7. Physical condition of individual or individuals.
8. Whether the individual or party is carrying a load.
AGING OF SIGN
The skill to accurately determine the age of sign is only learned through the practical experience
of relating the visual change of footfall damage to natural elements over a period of time.
The natural element factors which effect sign are: temperature and humidity variations caused
by sunlight, wind, rain, daylight and dark. The variations of possibilities of visual changes in any
one piece of sign caused by these factors are further complicated by the individual characteristics
of each eye to see things just a little differently. In short there is no way to learn to age sign
without seeing the sign itself change with time, subject to the elements.
Expert sign cutters will only attempt to teach, explain or illustrate this skill in classroom or
written materials in the broadest of terms and most basic examples, such as: grasses stepped on
during the cool of night will be revived by the sunlight warmth of the day; distinct color change
in vegetation damage; evidence if rain; morning or evening breezes; dirt transfer from surface
dew; night time or day time characteristics; vegetation damage to previously frosted surfaces.
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FOOTFALL CHARACTERISTICS
WALKING
regular sequence of footfall impressions with measured stride, equal depth
and contact of heels, balls of foot and lift off from toes. This type of track
best indicates individual mental and physical characteristics.
WALKING
hurried, but not jogging or flight characterized by irregular footfalls,
irregular heel strikes, deeper toe digs, less care with debris which may be
underfoot.
JOGGING
regular footfall interval, deeper heel strikes, longer stride, or shorter
strides with feet planted firmly, deeper toe digs often with very light heel
strike.
RUNNING
FLIGHT
irregular stride, deep heel strikes, deep toe digs, less care and concern for
debris or ground surfaces.
RUNNING
full flight or panic, very irregular footfalls, deep heel strikes, deep toe
digs, skid marks from poorly placed footfalls or balance of person, no
concern for ground surfaces, debris or obstacles in flight path.
NIGHT SIGN indicated by inability of person to see obstacles, vegetation, puddles, in
path walked.
CURRENT
TEXT:
Tracking, A Blueprint For Learning How by Jack Kearney is
recommended by the instructors.
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LOST!
TRACKING?
Tracking is one of the most effective tools used to find a missing person.
The drawing shows the distance a person could travel in any direction with time. Finding a
direction of travel with tracking can cut down the search area. Most subjects are found within 10
miles from point last seen. 10 miles has a search area of 314 sq miles. By establishing a
direction of travel, the search area can be cut down to 26 sq. miles.
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TRACK IDENTIFICATION
Most sign cut operations should be gin with an identification of the suspect or victims sign.
Generally this sign is appropriately located at the :”Place Last Seen”. Though an ideal, complete
and distinct, perfect image of the footgear might not be found, an identifiable print should be
located.
A complete drawing of this print should be made. This drawing should carefully
note and reflect every detail visible to the sign cutter. Careful measurements of the
dimensions of the print should include the length of heel and sole, width of each
and shape as illustrated below.
1. a – overall length of print
b – width of ball of foot
c – length of heel
d - width of heel
e – stride – normal walking measurement
from tip of toe to back of heel
2. Basic shoe type – flat – tennis shoe –
Work boot
Hiking boot
Sneakers
Street shoe
3. Basic shoe shape – toe – round – semi-round –pointed –square
Heel – straight leading edge
Concave leading edge
“v’d” leading edge
square heel
4. Basic sole patters – Straight bars
Circles
Wavy lines
Lugs
Zig zags
Diamonds
Stars
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5. Basic heel patter if different from sole – (especially note worn areas on side of
heels or rear of heel)
6. Note overall appearance of print and all worn places – cuts for breaks –
anything which will distinguish this print from all others – any and all unique
features
Once the print has been recorded on paper by the sign cutter, the drawing serves
two purposes, (1) to show other sign cutters how the true sign appears, and
compare with known suspect sign, (2) to refresh the sign cutter’s mental image
whenever needed. The sign cutter may add to the drawing whenever successive
tracks reveal greater details. A drawing thus made by the sign cutter also insures a
lasting mental picture of the print.
Written notes of measurements and appearance will greatly aid the sign cutter’s
print description by radio for comparison by other teams.
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USE OF THE TRACKING STICK
Pivot the stick at the heel in
an arc, this will allow you
to concentrate on the prime
sign area, looking for the
heel of your next footfall.
Experience will gain your
confidence in using and
trusting in your tracking
stick.
NOTE: Ensure tracking
stick is held above the
track to prevent
contamination or
destruction of sign
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TRAVELING IN THE FIELD
Frame 1 shows team B looking for sign with team A. This should only be attempted by more
advanced trackers who are aware of the many problems which could occur. For those who are
becoming Tracker Aware, the figure below shows the preferred way to travel while out in the filed.
Unless otherwise directed, frame 1 is the way to travel at all times.
Team A stays on sign while Team B moves in
single file walking in each other’s foot steps to
reduce the area of disturbance caused by their
own tracks.
Trackers new to sign cutting should be within
voice distance of each other, which allows the
two teams to work more as one team
The above frame represents Team B as a team of
searchers unaware of Team A or the mess of
tracks they are leaving behind.
OR if Team B is the sign cut team looking for
sign, they’re unaware of the problems they will
face if they pass over the prime sign.