Tracking Humans: A Fundamental Approach to Finding Missing Persons, Insurgents, Guerrillas, and Fugitives from the Law

338 Pages·2013·10.68 MB·English

by  David Diaz

TRACKING
HUMANS
TRACKING
HUMANS
A Fundamental Approach to Finding Missing Persons, Insurgents,
Guerillas, and Fugitives from the Law
David Diaz
with V.L. McCann
Lyons Press
Guilford, Connecticut
An imprint of Globe Pequot Press
Copyright © 2005, 2013 by David Diaz and V.L. McCann First Lyons Paperback Edition, 2013

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and
retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted in writing from the publisher. Requests for
permission should be addressed to Globe Pequot Press, Attn: Rights and Permissions Department, PO Box
480, Guilford, CT 06437.

Lyons Press is an imprint of Globe Pequot Press.

All page numbers refer to the printed book.

Excerpt on page 13 from “The Elephant’s Child,” by Rudyard Kipling.

Excerpt on page 21 from The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness, by Erich Fromm.

Excerpt on page 81 from “Burnt Norton” from Four Quartets by T.S. Eliot.

Excerpt on page 111 from Selected Essays by Samuel Johnson.

Text Design: Sheryl P. Kober
Layout: Mary Ballachino
ISBN 978-0-7627-9481-2

The Library of Congress has previously catalogued an earlier (hardcover) edition as follows:
Diaz, David, 1959—
Tracking—signs of man, signs of hope : a systematic approach to the art and science of tracking humans /
David Diaz with V. L. McCann.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 1-59228-686-0 (trade paper)
1. Missing persons—Investigation. 2. Forensic sciences. 3. Criminal investigation. I. McCann, V. L. II.
Title.
HV6762.A3D52 2005
363.2'336—dc22
2005006063
Dedicated to the missing and exploited children throughout the world
and to those members of the American Armed Forces who were, are, or
ever will be held as prisoners of war or declared missing in action.
The instinct of man is to pursue everything that flies from him,
and to fly from all that pursue him.
—V
OLTAIRE
CONTENTS
Foreword
Introduction

Chapter 1: History and Brief Overview
A SHORT HISTORY
A TRACKING OVERVIEW
“PREY-LUDE” TO THE CHASE

Chapter 2: Getting to Know You
OPERATION CHASE

Chapter 3: My Common Senses Will Find You
SIGHT
Visual Tracking • Scanning and Searching
AUDITORY TRACKING
Vocal Noises • Mechanical Noises
SCENT TRACKING
Smoke • Cooking • Fuel • Body Odors
TACTILE TRACKING
THE PURSUIT: DAY ONE

Chapter 4: What Happened to My Signs?
GROUND SIGNS
Footprints • Other Prints • Disturbances
MIDDLE SIGNS
Wind Speed
TOP SIGNS
MEASURING
FACTORS AFFECTING SIGNS
Other Humans and Animals • Terrain • Climatic Weather Conditions • Time
THE PURSUIT: DAY TWO

Chapter 5: How Long Has It Been Since We Last Met?
HUMAN AND ANIMAL EXCREMENT
LIVING CREATURES AND PLANT LIFE
CONTROLLED LABORATORY TEST
Conduct of the Experiment • What You Eat Is What You Leave • Database
A LESSON IN FORENSIC SCIENCE
Decomposition • Mummification • Skeletonization
THE PURSUIT: DAY THREE

Chapter 6: What Do We Have Here?
GATHERING THE EVIDENCE
Preserve the Area • Direction of Movement • Blood Trailing • Speed of
Movement • Number of People • Kind of Food Consumed • Miscellaneous Items
and Equipment • Weapons
DOCUMENTING THE EVIDENCE: THE TRACKING PATROL REPORT
Overview • Searching • Recording • Collecting • Formatting
TRACKING PATROL REPORT

Chapter 7: Round Up the Posse
TRACKER TEAM
Duties and Responsibilities • Track Searching Procedures • Formations •
Immediate Action Drills • Booby Traps
TRAINING FOR THE BEGINNING TRACKER
Static and Movement Observation Drills • Initial Exercise • Forested Area