Ok, so imagine for a minute that you are out scavenging for supplies. You find a grocery store that looks promising. So you take some time to scout it out from a far for a good half hour. Everything looks clear, so you enter from a side exit that was left open. About ten minutes later you head out the same way you came in, cautious at the door, peering out to look for signs of anyone that may be following you. You're all in the clear. On your way back to your base however, you come across a smoldering cigarette. Now you're on full alert.
Now lets think how this could be prevented. First off, don't think that you are the only person scouting out that supply area. Remember, you are not the only person out there. One great way to tell if there is someone in the area, is looking for open doors. If a door is left open automatically assume that someone else is inside and proceed if you dare.
There are lots of signs that give away people being around. As long as you do not get lazy or complacent, you will not leave these signs for someone else. Things to look for besides open doors are fresh cigarette buts, trash like chip bags, candy wrappers, used cups. Now of course, if all of these items look fresh, the person who consumed them probably isn't too far away. Other signs to look for are: foot prints, tire marks, waste, shell casings, broken gear, used toiletries, soda cans, food wrappers, etc.
One way to avoid being tracked, DO NOT leave these signs behind for others. If you enter a room and you have time to close the door, close it. So long as it won't give you away.
This next portion is taken directly from the army SF field manual. I take NO CREDIT for anything stated in the army SF field manual:
TRACKING SIGNS
1-7. Signs are visible marks left by individuals or animals as they pass through an area. The tracker must know the following categories of signs:
-Ground Signs. These are signs left below the knees. All ground signs are further divided as follows:
-Large Signs. These are signs caused by the movement of 10 or more individuals through the area.
-Small Signs. These are signs caused by the movement of one to nine individuals through the area.
-High Signs (also known as top signs). These are signs left above the knees. They are also divided into large and small signs.
-Temporary Signs. These signs will eventually fade with time (for example, a footprint).
-Permanent Signs. These signs require weeks to fade or will leave a mark forever (for example, broken branches or chipped bark).
Ok, so lets take a minute and translate this into an urban environment:
Low Signs - Anything from the knees down. This would indicate things like footprints, trash, waste, fresh blood, spent shell casings, etc. So anything that is left directly on the ground. Now blood for example, may be left on other items also, but we will just categorize it here for simplicity sake.
High Signs - Anything from the knees up. This could amount to several indications. Open doors, cloth or cardboard left on barbwire fences, small pieces of torn clothing on metal objects, bullet holes in walls or sides of buildings, windows broken or propped open, etc.
All of these are good indicators that someone is probably in the same area as you.
This next subject is a great way to start finding some of these indicators, displacement.
Displacement defined as:
1-9. Displacement occurs when anything is moved from its original position. A good example of displacement is a well-defined footprint in soft, moist ground. The footgear or bare feet of the person who left the print displaced the soil by compression, leaving an indentation in the ground. The tracker can study this sign and determine several important facts. For example, a print left by worn footgear or by bare feet may indicate lack of proper equipment.
Translation, since footprints are going to be WAY harder to track in an urban environment, look for displaced items. Trash bins, trash, tables, chairs, vehicles, etc.
For example, if it is raining outside and you are tracking a person through a city, it will be difficult to follow them by footprints alone. If you lose them in an alley, look under the dumpster for a sewer cover. If the sewer cover is wet, then that is a good indication that the person moved the dumpster over the top of the sewer lid then closed it.
Another great indicator are Stains.
Stains are defined as:
1-21. A stain occurs when any substance from one organism or article is smeared or deposited on something else. The best example of staining is blood from a profusely bleeding wound. Bloodstains often appear as spatters or drops and are not always on the ground; they also appear smeared on leaves or twigs
of trees and bushes. The tracker can determine the seriousness of the wound and how far the wounded person can move unassisted. This process may lead the tracker to enemy bodies or indicate where they have been carried.
1-22. By studying bloodstains, the tracker can determine the wound’s location, as follows:
-If the blood seems to be dripping steadily, it probably came from a wound on the trunk.
-If the blood appears as if it was slung toward the front, rear, or sides, the wound is probably in the extremity.
-Arterial wounds appear to pour blood at regular intervals as if poured from a pitcher. If the
wound is venous, the blood pours steadily.
-A lung wound deposits pink, bubbly, and frothy bloodstains.
-A bloodstain from a head wound appears heavy, wet, and slimy.
-Abdominal wounds often mix blood with digestive juices so the deposit has an odor and is light in color.
Now, as far as blood is concerned, it is a FANTASTIC way to track someone. I have used this method on a few occasions at my past security jobs. One key thing to remember when tracking by blood stains, the direction of the point of the teardrop splatter, is the direction of flight. Lots of people think it is the opposite. You may not always need to remember this, but it will help you to track in the correct direction.
Another definition of staining:
1-25. Staining can also occur when a person drags muddy footgear over grass, stones, and shrubs. Thus, staining and displacement combine to form a movement and direction. Crushed leaves may stain rocky ground that is too hard to show footprints. Roots, stones, and vines may be stained where leaves or berries are crushed by moving feet.
In an urban environment, this can be easily related to areas like construction sites. If there is dirt that is dug up, movement through the area to another, will stain the pavement with the dirt. This would also be in coordination with different colors of dirt.
Last but not least is Odor:
1-37. The tracker should consider dietary habits, such as-
-Red meats.
-Tobacco.
-Alcohol.
-Certain spices (for example, those used in Korea).
1-38. With the convenience of an Army and Air Force Exchange Service facility while deployed, many Soldiers purchase and use fragrant soaps and body washes. Soaps and body washes cause strong, peculiar odors that are excreted through the sweat glands. These scents will be particularly evident to dog teams, but can be strong enough for a person to detect.
I have also used this method in previous situations. This works particularly well when tracking women. Women usually wear very potent, scent oriented perfumes. This is another great indicator.
Now you may not always have to use these methods to track someone. If there are enough people around, you could just follow them on foot and keep a visible watch on them. If you happen to lose track of them though, now you know how to find them.
The following is the US ARMY SF Tracking/Countertracking guide in PDF form.
Here is also a great video to watch from one of my favorite youtube channels.
I in no way shape or form claim ownership to any of the information provided in the links above.
No comments:
Post a Comment