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LAND

SEARCH AND RESCUE

TRACKER

LOG BOOK

From:__________ To:___________

Name:

PERSONAL INFORMATION

Name:

Address:

City:

Province/State:

Name:

Address:

City:

Province/State:

Postal/Zip Code:

Phone (Res): (Bus):

Postal/Zip Code:

(Bus):Phone (Res):

Medical Profile:

EMERGENCY CONTACT

PURPOSE

To facilitate the recording of training, courses andSAR incidents for each individual on a land search andrescue tracking team.

When a person moves to another town or province/state, the log may be presented to the head of the teamhe/she wishes to join.

The log is a personal record of all TRACKING relatedactivities. The log is proof of participation.

CERTIFICATION

Each entry must be certified by a qualified personfrom the team which the individual is a member of.Certification is done by UTS staff only.

STANDARDS

The standards appearing herein are the minimumstandards considered necessary for TRACKING lev-els.

The standards are the UTS (Universal Tracking Serv-ices, Inc.) sign-cut program standards. These stand-ards are recognized in Canada and the United States.

LANDSEARCH AND RESCUE

TRACKINGLOG

LAND SEARCH AND RESCUE TRACKING LOG

UNIVERSAL TRACKING SERVICES

SIGN CUT PROGRAM

OBJECTIVES

1. To provide an accredited, certified and recognizedsource of “tracking” training, consultation and exper-tise.

2. To promote and provide tracking as a viable tool orresource for law enforcement, search operations, mili-tary and industrial/installation security or other govern-mental and lawful organizations through a comprehen-sive training program.

3. To provide an accredited program of progressive levelsof knowledge and skill development from Track Awarethrough to Sign Cutter.

4. To provide written performance standards equated toeach training level.

5. To provide an evaluation program relative to statedperformance standards with which to measure studentperformance of demonstrated knowledge and skill de-velopment.

6. To provide certification of student training achieve-ment.

7. To provide an adequate staff of skilled and qualifiedinstructor personnel to accomplish requested trainingcourses.


SIGN CUTTING (TRACKING)

Sign cutting, or tracking as it is generally known, is thestep by step following of an animal, person, or thing.Tracking is a skill that was developed by early man toobtain food and locate his enemies.

Tracking can be a valuable information gathering source.Tracks are clues, and can be the most numerous cluesthat a lost individual or law violator leaves behind.Experience has shown that trained trackers can soonestablish the most likely area to identify sign, deter-mine the number of persons, the direction of travel, age,sex, and psychological state, and physical condition ofthe subject. Tracking skills have contributed to findingscores of lost persons in the bush, and trained trackerssuccesses in the apprehension of fugitives from the laware well documented.


UNIVERSAL TRACKING SERVICES

PROFESSIONAL TRACKING TITLESAND CERTIFICATIONS

The UTS program is skill development training that utilizesthe following four training levels:

1. Track Aware Beginner2. Tracker I Apprentice3. Tracker II Journeyman4. Sign Cutter Artisan

Progressive criteria for each training level are based onknowledge, practical experience, responsibility, and com-plexity of issues. Instructors evaluate the student’s abilityto demonstrate the practical application of tracking criteriafactors during successive field training courses.

Certification of student training and skill level achievementis the decision of UTS instructors. Certification is not basedon number, type, or title of courses attended but on demon-strated knowledge of tracking use, experience, and skill inpractical application simulations and actual tracking mis-sion operations.


UNIVERSAL TRACKING SERVICES students areundoubtedly the most formally schooled, best trainedand most experienced tracking students in the UnitedStates (and Canada). UTS classes are all college accred-ited and police standards certified to meet or exceedSearch and Rescue and Law Enforcement require-ments. College accreditation is available through thecommunity college systems in Washington, Oregon andCalifornia and the University of Alaska.

Certification of professional tracking skill levels willremain the decision of UTS STAFF and CHIEF IN-STRUCTOR based on achievement of stated criteriaand demonstrated ability, and not on number, type, ortitle of course attended. With a stated skill levelcertification program, trackers could be held account-able for decisions and opinions make in the field. There-fore the UTS SIGN CUT PROGRAM and instructionalstaff must ultimately be responsible for student certifi-cations.


UTS is designating the following training skill leveltitles for which certification will be awarded uponachievement of stated criteria and demonstrated abil-ity:NOVICE; TRACKER I; TRACKER II; SIGN CUT-TER.

NOVICE (TRACK AWARE)

Recipient must have successfully completed two or moreUTS Tracking Aware courses or 60 accumulative hoursrecorded on the Novice Training Log during In Housecourses and training as prescribed, and with the recommen-dation of a qualified trainer, and in addition demonstrate toUTS staff the knowledge and ability to:

♦ Accept and understand that whenever a person movesabout on foot they leave sign and that trained trackersare most often able to locate the physical evidence ofthat sign;

♦ Use glossary terms and definitions correctly to demon-strate recognition of various types of sign and trackingdescriptions found in field training areas;

♦ Make an acceptable drawing of subject footprints andidentify by using proper measurements and descriptionsthat would be shared with team members and searchofficials;


♦ Demonstrate the proper UTS method of setting up andusing a tracking stick on an identified line of sign;

♦ Demonstrate and explain the recognition and the visualevidence of simple sign aging characteristics found inthe sign line;

♦ Discuss, explain and identify the functions of eachposition of the three person tracking team;

♦ Demonstrate the ability to function effectively, compat-ibly, and co-operatively in each position of the threeperson tracking team in actively moving sign along asimple sign line.

♦ Mark and preserve the identified tracks on a line of sign;

♦ Demonstrate the ability to recognize specific character-istics found in various different types of footgear im-pressions in vegetation, loose debris and on open soilareas of a relatively uncontaminated open field area;


Demonstrate the knowledge and ability to advise and assistNOVICE students to understand the pertinent history andprogressive development of the UTS tracking program; tounderstand the concept that trained trackers “see whatothers look at and do not see” and to understand why trainedtrackers are a vital resource for land search efforts.

TRACKER I

Pre-requisite: Each applicant for consideration of Tracker Icertification must hold a current UTS Track Aware Certifi-cate, and additionally request of UTS staff the opportunityto demonstrate knowledge, experience and tracking skills toaccomplish each of the following criteria elements:

♦ Respond, report properly and participate in trackingincidents as an apprentice level tracker;

♦ Demonstrate basic understanding of MSO/ICS/MLPSmanagement practices and concepts that may be inplace on scene of a tracking mission and describe howtracking resources might be affected;

♦ Demonstrate the knowledge and ability to recognize andidentify, describe and explain all terms and types of signlisted in the glossary of terms;


♦ Demonstrate the ability to locate and identify specificfootprints co-mingled with others using measurementsand other comparison means, and describe simple agingcharacteristics observed;

♦ Demonstrate the ability and tracking skills to effectivelyand efficiently assist a tracking team to identify, isolateand determine the direction of travel of one or morepersons at and from a specific site;

♦ Demonstrate the ability and tracking skills to effectivelyand efficiently assist a tracking team to move an iden-tified print along a sign line complicated by simplecontamination and controversy;

♦ Demonstrate leadership is assisting a tracking team tolocate and work identified sign;

♦ Demonstrate your knowledge of multiple tracking op-erations, describe and discuss practical use applicationsof such operations;

♦ Demonstrate the knowledge, recognition and proper useof multiple cutting team operations including perimetercutting, single and double team cutting techniques, openfield cutting and natural/man-made barrier cutting;


♦ Demonstrate your knowledge and experience of when,where and how to use sign cutting operations. Useproper procedure and techniques in tracking team for-mat to efficiently perform each sign cutting operation,and discuss the decision the decision factors you em-ployed;

♦ Demonstrate your ability to recognize, identify anddescribe obvious individual sign maker characteristicsapparent in a particular sign line;

♦ Demonstrate the ability to recognize, identify and de-scribe examples of simple aging;

♦ Demonstrate the ability to recognize inter-personalrelationships affecting team efficiency and effective-ness and make reasonable suggestions to address theseissues and enhance team effectiveness and achievement;

♦ Demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of theUTS evaluation format, practices and procedures andthe need for such;

♦ Demonstrate your ability to correctly explain and dis-cuss the certification criteria for the Track Aware andTracker I certification levels;


♦ Demonstrate your ability to assist Novice and TrackAware students to understand and properly use basictracking concepts;

♦ Provide documentation that you have willingly assistedTracker II level students with Track Aware presenta-tions, classes, field practices and actual mission opera-tions including note taking and writing comprehensivemission reports;

♦ Display a courteous demeanor and remain professionalat all times, tactful, sensitive and considerate of allpersons and supportive of the UTS program;

♦ Demonstrate that you are fully capable when no highertraining level tracker is available for actual or trainingmissions, to assume the responsibility as the best avail-able resource and complete the mission to the full extentpossible.

TRACKER II

Pre-requisite: Each applicant for Tracker II certificationevaluation must hold a current Tracker I certification and inaddition: demonstrate or document to UTS staff personnelyour knowledge, experience, and tracking skill to effectivelyand efficiently accomplish each of the following criteriaelements with proficiency.


♦ Demonstrate a professional personal presentation asyou would in responding to a tracking mission as aresponsible UTS certified Tracker II, expressing yourknowledge, experience and special training;

♦ Demonstrate full understanding of all portions andpractices of the UTS training program, the certificationlevels and all criteria, the evaluation format and allelements, the “train the trainer,” Tracking Field Coor-dinator, Tracking Field Team Leaders, etc;

♦ Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of MSO/MLPS/ICS management concepts and practices thatwould most probably be in effect at a tracking mission,and a proper professional response of trained trackers;

♦ Demonstrate your training and ability to obtain incidentinformation, PLS, LKP and other pertinent details thatmay be available from the Incident Commander/SARmanager or other authorities and witnesses as appropri-ate;

♦ Demonstrate your knowledge and experience to evalu-ate the appropriate application of tracking as an inci-dent resource, articulate your reasoning and the deci-sion making process you would follow with on siteauthorities and other resources and witnesses;


♦ Demonstrate or/and document during training simula-tions and actual missions your knowledge, experienceand tracking skill to render ICS Commander assistancethrough physical evidence examination and possiblegathering additional information pertaining to the inci-dent;

♦ Demonstrate during training simulations or actual mis-sion documentation your professional assistance to theIncident Commander/SAR manager through physicalevidence verification of factors to establish or assureidentifications, informational factors such as sign ag-ing, direction of travel, number of persons, conflictingwitness statements, physical and mental characteristicsof the sign maker which could effect overall operations;

♦ Demonstrate your knowledge, ability and experience tomaintain appropriate and adequate communicationswith incident officials of sign observations and yourability to assist by making reasoned and appropriatetracking team assignments;

♦ Demonstrate your leadership abilities and professional-ism to assist the on scene official in co-ordinating andbriefing tracking teams using accepted SAR manage-ment concepts;


♦ Demonstrate the training, experience and ability towork compatibly and efficiently in any tracking teamwithout regard to other members experience or trainingand remain disciplined to proper teamwork techniquesand operations;

♦ Demonstrate leadership characteristics, knowledge ofinter-personal relationships, decision making techniquesand take charge in a Tracking Team Field Co-ordinatorrole when appropriate to insure overall mission effec-tiveness;

♦ Demonstrate your knowledge and ability to recognizeinter-personal relationship issues that negatively effectteamwork and articulate your knowledge and experi-ence in discussing and taking actions to resolve theseissues;

♦ Demonstrate and articulate your knowledge, reasoning,experience and tracking skills to recognize and resolvesign contradictions, conflicts and contamination com-plexities;

♦ Demonstrate your ability and tracking skills to follow asomewhat complicated sign routing, with areas of com-plexity and utilize available trained personnel to reacha logical conclusion expeditiously;


♦ Demonstrate and articulate understanding, experienceand tracking skills to sign cut effectively and efficientlyin using all UTS Sign Cutting practices, procedures andtechniques (Single and Double Cutting Operations,Field and Perimeter Cutting Operations) and in locat-ing, selecting and cutting natural and man-made barri-ers;

♦ Demonstrate your ability to document your participa-tion on a tracking mission. Upon completion of anactual tracking mission (may be accomplished duringsimulated missions) complete and submit a timely andcomprehensive written report to proper authorities oftracking actions, decisions and operations, and theresults based on information provided and actions re-quested;

♦ Demonstrate your knowledge, experience, and personalaptitude to make track aware presentations, includingfield practices to requesting regional units and membersto introduce tracking concepts and basic track aware-ness. Further, to adequately prepare novice students tobecome a viable SAR resource and with your recom-mendation apply for and receive UTS Track Awarecertification; (Students should request opportunities todemonstrate these aspects during training sessions fromUTS staff. Applicant novice students submitting com-


pleted training logs, requesting and receiving evaluationfor Track Aware certification is evidence of this criteriaelement.)

♦ Complete and initial Novice Tracking Training Logsnoting appropriate evaluation comments and remarksincluding recommendations for Track Aware certifica-tion;

♦ Remain professional at all times, tactful, sensitive andconsiderate of all persons, displaying courteous de-meanor and supportive of all UTS program membersand aspects.

SIGN CUTTER

Pre-requisite: Each challenging student must have been atthe time of application for this certification an active TrackerII student for a period of not less then two (2) years, and inaddition:

This is the highest training level certification offered byUniversal Tracking Services. Student applicants success-fully challenging for this certification must demonstrate acomfortable professional confidence evolved through con-sistent practical application of all Tracker II criteria over aperiod of time. Students at this level will be accomplishedtrackers, frequent missing person mission and crime scene


investigation participants, they will be experienced UTStracking trainers and presenters. These persons will be truetracking professionals, competent in all mission situations,responsible leaders and incident managers.

In addition to the forgoing each applicant must demonstrateor document to the UTS Chief Instructor the knowledge,experience, and tracking skill to meet each of the followingcriteria elements:

♦ Demonstrate responding to a tracking mission andpresent yourself as a full field performance UTS TrackerII with training and ability to manage personnel andeffect the highest level of tracking knowledge, experi-ence and tracking skills;

♦ Explain, justify and demonstrate the reasoning used toevaluate appropriateness of sign cutting as a missionresource in all situations even though initial reports andinformation may be confused, conflicting, misleading,and including instances and issues of sign more thenthirty days old and up to periods of twelve months.

♦ Demonstrate ease and professionalism in gaining per-mission from reluctant on scene authorities and effect-ing a successful interrogation of reluctant witnessesrelative to the instant tracking incident or mission.

♦ Demonstrate ease and confidence to tactfully and suc-


cessfully achieve a secondary interview or interrogationwhen initial reports and information are conflicting,confused, disorganized, and misleading, even whenwitnesses may be reluctant.

♦ Demonstrate finesse, confidence, unqualified trackingskills and intuition to locate PLS and identify footprintsof missing person in areas contaminated by numerousother persons or in complex situations caused by naturalelements, untimely reporting, location or other condi-tions;

♦ Demonstrate unqualified accuracy to interpret signevidence at PLS or crime scene to resolve conflictingand/or misleading witness statements or confusion as toactions, age or events;

♦ Demonstrate complete knowledge and experience isadapting MLPS/MSO/ICS management concepts tothe instant mission. Co-ordinate with responsible offi-cials to organize, initiate and carry out multiple teamtracking operations by making recommendations anddirecting tracking team make-up and deployment;

♦ Demonstrate your ability to garner a request for assis-tance to co-ordinate with SAR managers, assist deci-sion making based on sign evidence i.e. interview ofwitnesses, use of SAR resources, new directions orextend/curtail search areas;


♦ Readily assume leadership position while incurringtotal assent and trust of personnel in assigning anddeploying sign cut teams to primary and secondary orperimeter cut areas;

♦ Demonstrate knowledge and experience in conductingon-going operational critiques to insure that the mostappropriate team deployment to move sign as quicklyand efficiently as possible is accomplished;

♦ Demonstrate expertise in resolving issues of ageing,mistaken sign, lost sign and contaminated sign in diffi-cult tracking areas for less experienced tracking teamsand in such a manner so as to utilize the instance for ateaching or training point;

♦ Accurately identify and record sign which illustrateschanges of physical and mental characteristics of sub-ject;

♦ Make appropriate notes, write reports and be preparedto testify in criminal proceedings as to sign observed,mental and physical state of subject and particularactions of incident participants;

♦ Accurately examine and report forensic evidence re-lated to crime scenes including note taking, reportwriting to include detail discussions of the evidenceobserved and opinions, judgements, and conclusions.


FIELD TRAINING EVALUATION

Instructors do a field evaluation on each student for eachcourse. These evaluations are performed to give the studentguidance in areas to improve themselves. If you have anyquestions on the evaluation process please ask the Instruc-tors and they will be happy to explain further. Evaluationscores reflect individual performance during each courseonly. Evaluations are determined in the following areas.

1. Attitude: Acceptance of UTS Tracking TrainingProgram and tracking as a resource and methodology.A believing, pleasant, willing and agreeable attitude isnecessary to enable instructors and students to beaccepting and motivated to the highest degree of learn-ing possible.

2. Interest: Sincere interest in learning all aspects ofpractical tracking skill usage. Interest in a particularskill development is often demonstrated in support ofand enthusiasm for the skill, self initiated research,practice, development, and commitment to trainingopportunities, intense desire for continued insight andadvancement.

3. Teamwork: The ability to work co-operatively with allteam members in achieving common program/team


goals. Communication, leadership, and responsibilityare key issues of teamwork.

4. Aptitude/Skill: The natural or acquired ability forquickness of understanding, ability to grasp the con-cepts and the quality of fitting into this working environ-ment. The demonstrated development of ease or expert-ness in application of learned techniques resulting in theevidence of specialized ability or training.

5. Patience / Persistence: Tracking necessitates the pa-tience to allow observance of complex detail, and to sortand associate appropriate facts. Patience must extendto and include all team members to allow the highestdegree of proficiency. Persistence is the quality ofcontinuing despite opposition or difficulties, to stickwith the task having the opportunity for final success.

6. Common Sense/Reasoning: Reasoning is defined asthe mental process of drawing conclusions from knownor presumed facts. Common Sense is defined as “prac-tical understanding; sound judgement; or ordinary men-tal capacity”. This evaluation factor relates to theability to use these two elements in reaching logicalconclusions relating to tracking in consideration oftraining and experience.

7. Receiving Constructive Feedback: Properly address-ing constructive feedback is a positive method of learn-


ing and skill development. Tracking students profit byreadily accepting positive and appropriate constructivefeedback offered by team members and others.

8. Giving Constructive Feedback: Gives positive and con-structive suggestions, ideas, and opinions to fellow teammembers to assist with their skill development (Not evalu-ated in Tracking Awareness Classes)

AIDS TO SIGN CUTTING

A supplement to the UTS tracking glossary of sign cuttingterminology. This addition to the tracking glossary listssome tracking sign aids which will indicate presence orpassage of persons.

1. Grass, leaves, sticks or debris kicked by footfalls andindicating direction of travel.

2. Vines, grass or weeds bent in elongated oval shapes, orother unnatural formations may indicate human passagefrom footfalls or pushing aside.

3. Sap coming from breaks, cuts, scrapes and bruising ofplants may indicate footfall damage.

4. Dew or moisture knocked from plant surfaces in regularfootfall intervals or shapes.


5. Dry ground surfaces exposed at regular footfall intervalsafter rain or periods of heavy moisture.

6. Color change to vegetation or ground surface at regularintervals, may be caused by compression of surface byfootfalls.

7. Vegetation damage at regular intervals indicated bydarkened surfaces after a frost.

8. Texture change of frost or frozen ground surfaces in sizeand shape of footfalls.

9. Fallen leaves which show signs of weathering are turned,flipped of tipped to expose the contrasting underside sur-faces.

10. Broken cobwebs or other insect or animal disturbancemay be indications.


INFORMATION OBTAINABLE BY SIGN CUTTING

A visual tracker should be able to determine some or all ofthe 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(s)

8. Whether the individual or party is carrying a load

AGING OF SIGN

The knowledge, experience and skill to determine the age of signis learned through the practical application of tracking tech-niques in relating the visual change of footprint damage tonatural elements over a period of time.

All natural elements such as temperature and humidity varia-tions caused by sunlight, wind, rain, daylight, and dark effectsign. The varying possibilities of these changes usually seen ascolor tone or surface texture change in any one piece of sign is


further complicated by variation in the ability of each individualeye to see the same thing with the same degree of detail. In shortthere is no known method of learning to age sign without seeingthe sign itself change with time, subject to the elements.

Expert sign cutters generally attempt to explain or illustrate thisskill in classroom or written materials in the broadest of termsand most basic examples such as:4 grasses stepped on during the cool of night will be revived

by the sunlight warmth of the day;4 distinct colour change in vegetation damage;4 evidence of rain;4 morning or evening breezes;4 dirt transfer from surface dew;4 night time or day time characteristics;4 vegetation damage to previously frosted surfaces.

FOOTFALL CHARACTERISTICS

WALKING - Regular sequence of footprint impressions withmeasured stride, equal depth, and contact of heels, balls of footand lift off from toes. This type of track best indicates individualmental and physical characteristics.

FAST WALKING - Hurried, but not jogging or flight char-acterized by irregular footprints, irregular heel strikes, deepertoe digs, less care with debris, which may be underfoot.


JOGGING - Regular footprint interval, deeper heel strikes,longer stride, or shorter strides with feet planted firmly, deepertoe digs often with a very light heel strike.

RUNNING - Irregular stride, deep heel strikes, deep toe digs,less care and concern for debris or ground surfaces.

RUNNING FLIGHT - Full flight or panic, very irregularfootprints, deep heel strikes, deep toe digs, skid marks frompoorly placed footprints or balance of person, no concern forground surfaces, debris or obstacles in flight path.

NIGHT SIGN - Indicated by the inability of a person to seeobstacles, vegetation, or puddles in the path walked.

STRIDE - Stride will shorten going uphill - lengthen goingdown hill - change with mental state of sign maker.


TRACKING GLOSSARY

Revised: July 2002

AGING - Process of determining time lapse since sign wasmade, considering vegetation damage, rain, sun, and othernatural elements.

BACKING - Walking backwards, usually across a road ornatural barrier, generally associated with an attempt toconfound or confuse sign by showing an incorrect directionof travel.

BROKEN TWIGS - Small particles or twigs which areuniquely broken in such a way indicating damage fromhuman footwear.

BARRIERS - A tracking term used to describe those areasthat would cause a person to take extra steps, change stride,or travel pattern and leave sign more obvious or observablethan the normal travel route to trackers. Most oftenreferred to as Natural Barriers and Man Made Barriers.

BRUISING - Footfall damage to vegetation, usually indi-cated by color variation contrasting with the surroundingarea of the same vegetation

BRUSHING OUT - Using a branch or grass or clothingarticle in an attempt to brush or erase tracks from an area.

CAMOUFLAGE - To attempt to confuse, disguise or concealsign by covering with natural substances, leaving footfalls


where there is other foot traffic, brushing out, or any othermeans used to cover or make sign difficult to see, to deceiveor confuse direction of travel, number of persons, or pres-ence of sign.

COMPRESSED AREAS - Areas of ground surface thatincludes loose debris and vegetation both dead and living,surface moisture, all types of soil surfaces, compressed in amanner consistent with that of human footfalls.

CONTINUITY OF SIGN - The evidence of footfalls in propersequence and spacing along a line of sign that may or maynot be unidentifiable.

COUNTER-TRACKING - Any and all methods, techniquesor attempts (see deception, camouflage), to counter a track-er’s efforts to find and follow or read sign.

CRYING - The natural weeping of vegetation fluids (sap)resulting from footfall damage.

CUTTING FOR SIGN - An operation used principally alongnatural barriers to locate human sign.

DECEPTION - Attempting to confuse, disguise or concealsign by walking backward, brushing out, or other means, todeceive or confuse direction of travel, number of persons, orpresence of sign. Leaving a good trail or sign into a poor signarea, then departing on another route.


DELIBERATE VEGETATION DAMAGE - Tips or tops ofbranches, brush or weeds broken off by persons as they passthrough an area or other intentional damage caused tomark a traveled route.

DISTURBANCE - Any disturbance of the natural state ofground surface, i.e. disturbed leaf litter, loose debris, andduff probably caused by a footfall.

DISLODGED STICK OR ROCK - A rock, stick or otherobject dislodged or moved from its previous position byfootfall movement. The dislodged object may or may not befound adjacent to the area from which it was moved orwithin the prime sign area.

EMBEDDED PEBBLE, STONE, STICK OR OBJECT - Anysmall object impressed into soil or vegetation due to footfallcompression of the ground surface.

FALSE TRAILS - Animal routings or trails or other seem-ing natural pathways most common through grasslands orunderbrush, but not resulting from travel of the person orpersons being followed. False trails may be the result ofeither newer or older human travel as well as animals.

FLAGGED OR FLAGGING - Vegetation such as leaves orbranches or grass turned in direction of travel. Oftenshowing the underside of leaf surfaces, small branch entan-glement grasses swept into a rounded form or with topspointing at an angle in the direction of travel.


FLANKERS - The two members to the right and left and onestep behind the point person that make up a three persontracking team.

GRASS TRAIL - The shine, flattening, bending or inter-twining of grass or brush due to footfall compression andmotion indicating human passage.

HEEL MARKS - The curved mark, indication or depressionon the ground surface made by initial impact of the heelportion of footgear usually a result of the normal walkingmotion.

HEALING - The process by which vegetation closes andcures damaged areas caused by human footfalls or passage,and animal or other natural circumstances. This is aprimary sign-ageing element.

IN-HOUSE TRAINING PROGRAM - A portion of the UTStraining program by which novice students may receiveUTS credit for training hours when they participate in localor “In House” Track Aware training classes. These classesmust be conducted in the proscribed format designed byUTS and presented by Tracker I and Tracker II studentscertified as qualified “trainers”.

INTERLACED VEGETATION - Brush, weeds or long grassstems that become intertwined due to footfall and lower legtravel brushing them in the direction of travel.


INVENTING SIGN - Seeing sign that is not present, usuallybecause of fatigue and/or a “need” to see it. To fabricate signwithin the “mind’s eye.” A trackers tendency to try to makefootfall characteristics where natural surface imperfec-tions, shadowing, or disturbance occurs.

KICK - The forceful impact of a footfall or portion thereofthat makes a definable impression and generally scattersground surface often throwing surface materials or debrisin the direction of travel.

LAST KNOWN PLACE (LKP) - A term used to denote the“Last Known Place” where the subject was. This location isoften established as the result of tracking efforts.

LIGHT ANGLE - The correct angle from the viewers’ eye tothe sign and to the light source for the optimum observanceof sign.

LINE OF SIGN - The sign maker route of travel evidencedby tracker observable continuity of sign evidencing thathuman passage.

LITTERING - Scattered debris, rubbish, trash or humanfeces that are sign or evidence of human presence orpassage.


MAN MADE BARRIERS - Those man-made areas such asroads, fence lines, edges of fields, ditches, etc, that generallyinterrupt human passage or cause change of stride, exag-gerated or additional footfall sign that will be more easilyseen by trackers.

NATURAL BARRIERS - Those naturally created areassuch as stream beds, banks, hill sides, brush lines or otherchanges in vegetation, or ground surfaces that generallyinterrupt human passage, or cause change of stride, exag-gerated or additional footfall sign that will be more easilyseen by trackers.

PLACE LAST SEEN (PLS) - The place where witnesses lastsaw the person.

PERIMETER CUT - A term associated with the sign cuttingoperation of looking for sign in relation to a known point orobjective often the PLS or LKP, used to limit or eliminatesearch areas, most often along natural or man-made barri-ers.

POINT PERSON - The center point of the three persontracking team and described graphically as the top point ofthe triangle formation, this person is responsible for printidentification, determining the prime sign area, and track-ing stick location of the “next” print focus in the step-by-stepprocess.


PRIME SIGN AREA - The area where the next footfallshould appear, within the 60% arc, beneath the tip of thepoint person’s sign cut stick when the stick is properly “set-up” and on the last identified footfall.

SAND TRAP - Usually open surface soft dirt areas, occur-ring naturally or man-made, which by their nature willimpress, depress or compress easily leaving obvious footfallevidence.

SCUFF MARK - The mark or sign caused by footfallscontacting firm ground surfaces indicating movement in adeterminable direction of travel.

SHINE - The light reflection from human footfall damage orcompression of ground surfaces. Grasses and loose debrisare compressed or compacted together uniformly causingthe uniform reflection of light from a mired of surfaceswithin the footfall shape and size.

SIGN - All evidence, not limited to footfalls, of a person’spresence or passage

SIGN CUTTING - A tracking operation used principallyalong natural and man-made barriers to locate human signand/or that operation used in conjunction with multipleteam operations to advance the prime sign in an organizedand regimented manner.

SIGN CUTTING STICK - A stick, or other suitable object,used by knowledgeable trackers as an aid for measuring,marking, and locating prime sign areas.


SIGNATURE TRACK - Footprint evidence clearly display-ing unique characteristics so as to be unmistakably identi-fiable

STRIDE INTERVAL - A tracking measurement from tip oftoe of one normal walking step to back of heel of the nextsuccessive step. This measurement is commonly associatedwith the tracking stick and used to locate the next footfall inthe prime sign area.

TOE DIGS - The indented mark or sign of exertion evidenc-ing a normal walking motion, the result of the naturalbending or flex of the foot and footgear as the body weightis thrust forward from the ball of the foot and tip of the toeonto the next step.

TRACKING FIELD TEAM LEADER - A term used by theUTS training program to identify a training position gener-ally held by a Track Aware or Tracker I student. The personin this position is learning to see and identify sign from astanding and walking position while assisting and enablingNovice and Track Aware students a greater awareness of“sign” indications otherwise missed in the sign line.

TRACKING OPERATIONS COORDINATOR - A term usedby the UTS program to designate a tracking coordinatorthat assists multiple team assignments, efficiency, andcommunications during field operations.


TRACKING TEAM - Ideally, a three-person team, eachwith specific functions, coordinated and communicating inworking a tracking mission.

TRACK TRAP - An area occurring naturally or especiallyprepared such as a sand trap to capture the footfall evidenceof the presence or passage of a person.

TRACKER BURNOUT - That condition in which a trackeris totally fatigued to the point of losing concentration, focusand caring about the mission effort.

TRACKER'S BLINDNESS - A tracker’s physical condi-tion usually caused by extreme eyestrain and evidencedby the inability to recognize obvious sign and/or creatingsign where there is none and/or the inability to determinethe difference between possibilities and probabilities ofsign.

TRANSFER - Soil, debris, green chlorophyll or other evi-dence impacted on footgear in one footfall and carriedforward to the next and possibly succeeding footfalls anddeposited as a part of that footfall impression.

VEGETATION DAMAGE - Broken, abraded or otherwisedamaged leaves, stems or branches of plants often describedby trackers as bruising, smashing, smooshing, splitting, orother caused by the deliberate or inadvertent footfall dam-age resulting from the presence or passage of a person.


TRACK IDENTIFICATION

Most sign cut operations should begin with an identificationof the suspect or victim’s sign. Generally this sign isappropriately located at the “Place Last Seen”. Though anideal, complete and distinct, perfect image of the footgearmight not be found, an identifiable print should be located.

A complete drawing of this print should be made. Thisdrawing should carefully note and reflect every detailvisible to the sign cutter. Careful measurements of thedimensions of the print should include the length of heeland sole, width of each, and shape as illustrated below.1. a - overall length of print

b - width of ball of footc - length of heeld - width of heele - stride - normal walking measurement

from tip of toe to back of heel

2. Basic shoe types - flat tennis shoe- work boot- hiking boot- sneakers- street shoe- cowboy boot


3. Basic shoe shape- toe:

- round- semi-round- pointed- square

- heel:- straight leading edge- concave leading edge- V leading edge- square heel

4. Basic sole pattern - straight bars- circles- wavy lines- lugs- zig zags- diamonds- stars

5. Note: Basic Heel Pattern if different from sole (Especiallynote worn areas on side of heels or rear of heel)

Note: Overall appearance of print and all worn places, cuts,breaks, or anything that will distinguish this print from all others.Include all unique features.


Once the print has been recorded on paper by the tracker thedrawing serves two purposes:4 To show other trackers and investigators how the true sign

appears, and to compare with known suspect sign.4 Refresh the trackers mental image whenever needed.

The tracker may add to the drawing whenever successivetracks or sign reveal greater detail. A drawing thus made bythe tracker also insures a lasting mental picture of the print.

Written notes of measurements and appearance will aid thetracker’s print description for information sharing with others.

Prepared and Edited by Mike Doyle© 1992-2002 SARBC, PO BOX 187, VICTORIA, B.C. V8W 2M6

250-384-6696

Latest Reference: UTS Track Aware Manual 2002


Additions

File Name, Task #,Mission # or Incident #:

Start Date/Time:

Signature

Certified By:

Print

TRACKING LOG - PRACTICE

Search Manager or Supervisor:

Postal/Zip Code:

Location:

Prime Duty or Responsibility:

Description of Training Event:

Duration:


Start Date/Time:

Signature

Certified By:

Print

Search Manager or Supervisor:

Postal/Zip Code:

Location:

Description of Course:

Duration:

TRACKING LOG - COURSE


Start Date/Time:

Description of Circumstances:

Prime Duty or Responsibility:

Description of Search/Rescue Effort:

Signature

Certified By:

Print

Search Manager:

Postal/Zip Code:

Location:

Duration:

TRACKING LOG - SEARCH/RESCUE

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