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Tracking
Stick and Step by Step Method
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Most trades have their
specialized tools, in tracking it is the sign cutting stick / tracking stick.
It is hard to believe such a simple tool can be so effective. All the
tool really does is to make you look , or focus your eyes where they need to
be focused.
The Step by Step Method
of tracking is stride based. That is, a Tracker get from one track to
the next by determining stride (the distance from heel of the rear print to
heel of the front print) then searching one stride from the last track
found. This requires some sort of ridged measuring device to measure
stride and a tracking stick works well for this.
The stride length is indicated
on a tracking stick by placing an "O" ring or rubber band one stride
length from the end, the marker is can then be placed at the heel of the last
track and at the end of the stick pointed in the direction of travel.
The end of the stick, then , becomes a pointer towards where the next sign of
track is expected to be found. The stick causes the Trackers attention
to be focused on a small piece of ground rather than a large area.
Remember that trick about reducing the area you really have to search?
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On the last print found,
hold the stick so the stride mark is held close to, but above, the rear of the
heel. Move the tip of the stick through the arc which covers the area
where the next track should occur.
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While sweeping the stick
very slowly, study the area directly in front of the tip for sign. Take about
20
seconds to sweep from about 10 o'clock to about 2 o'clock, focusing primarily
to the left for a left print (10 o'clock) or to the right for a right print (2
o'clock). Somewhere during the sweep the tip should point to the the
heel of the next print. It may be obvious or it may be difficult, but it
should be there. If you don't find anything, make another sweep of the
area even slower. Constantly be alert to the possibility that the
subject being tracked may abruptly change direction or alter their stride.
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So now that you have found a print, drawn it, photographed it, measured it,
set your tracking stick up and you set off starting to follow the track
- I need to tell you that you need to label each print that you
find.
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Tracks should be marked
in two ways, indicate whether it is a left or right track, circle them if
they are fully identifiable. To mark the track, or partial track,
start by using the tracking stick to etch a semicircle to the rear of the
track. To a tracker, this arc should indicate track immediately
ahead, STAY OFF. A short hash mark or tick is placed at the right
end of the semicircle to indicate a right track, and a left mark for a
left track. Fully circling the Identifiable track (That is, there is
enough of a print visible to indicate shoe type, and sole pattern). This
should indicate to other trackers this is the print they are following and
try to preserve it as evidence.
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Light
Control to Visualize a Track
 Tracking is best accomplished at night, when the
near complete control of the available light is based on the tracker's
flashlights and headlamps. Through low angle light impingement as is
shown in
the figure above, the track stands out clearly.
Tracking teams must often crawl on knees to keep
the proper light angle and operate their tracking sticks effectively.
Some members attach lamps to the tip of the tracking stick to allow low
angle lighting while standing. If it is possible to track the subject
with a vehicle, it would be best to place low angle lights on the front
bumper.
To reduce eye strain it is best to use only that
light which is sufficient to locate the track. Lower intensity LED
flashlights work well in reducing eye strain and maintain night vision.
On a brightly moonlit night, brighter flashlights may be necessary.
Tracking during daylight hours is a challenge.
The bright light of the sun just about eliminates all shadows within the
track that provides the contrast of the print. Daytime tracking is best
in the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is at a lower angle
creating more shadows. The tracker may have to reposition themselves
generally facing towards the sun to see the shadows. The tracker may be
able to control the lighting by using wide-brim hat to shade the track
and use either a flashlight or the mirror from a compass to redirect the
light as shown below
Miscellaneous
Observations
Remember that tracks are only one part of
tracking, other possible signs to look for are: Cigarette butts and
candy wrappers, threads from clothing, dry mud from shoes, Water
splashed on rock or soil, disturbed twigs, rocks and grass, or human
waste material.
The searcher should place themselves in the place
of the missing subject to estimate what the missing subject might do in
the given situation.
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Tracking
Team
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A common approach to
following a track by the Step-by-Step Method is with three person teams.
The three-person team, comprised of a Point Person and two Flankers, has
several advantages.
- It allows for
consultation in difficult situations because three heads are better
than one. (Sometimes). If you can convince another hard head that what
you are seeing is sign, then you are twice as likely to be right.
- When training it,
builds confidence, reduces errors and benefits students by allowing a
verbal exchange of the details of what is seen rather than just a mutual
observation of a clue.
- It allows rotation
of the Point-Person who is physically on the ground searching for
sign. Point is a tiring position, especially when sign is limited.
- It also allows the
Team to split up if several trails diverge. Any team member can
call the team back together when one finds that he or she is on the
correct track.
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Point - Person
Responsibilities:
- Stays just behind
the last track found, uses the tracking stick to search for the next piece
of sign, and marks the tracks as they proceed.
- Keeps Flankers
from obliterating sign by getting ahead and whacks them with the
tracking stick if they do.
- Coordinates
efforts of the Team.
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Flanker - Person
Responsibilities:
- From an upright position,
the Flankers watch the sides for incoming tracks that might confuse
the situation.
- They watch for
sudden turn of the trail they are following.
- They help point
out the next track from their vantage point.
- They look for the
other pieces of clues, broken branches, moved rocks, candy wrappers, cigarette
butts, fecal material.
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Other
Observations
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