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Analysis and Operations Division
Information Analysis
Purpose: To provide search teams with comprehensive high probability locations and accurate missing subject profiles.
Concept: A specialized team gathers all possible information about a missing subject/s and processes this information using deductive reasoning. The processed information is run through
various computer programs and the results are then sent directly to the field search managers.
Overview: When a call is received for search advice the on duty Incident Commander will page the on duty Analysis members. Within 15 minutes information gathering starts to take
place. A minimum of five Analysis members are required per operational period not including the trained interviewers and computer operators. All missing person analysis incidents follow
an established pre-plan and operational procedure policies.
The Analysis team generally works out of the Victoria office due to the vast resources required but is field ready with modular equipment if required. In order to maintain a solid
information connection between the field search efforts and the Analysis Division, communications personnel are normally sent to the field search base. The communications personnel will
establish a computer Data Link with the Victoria office and will pass on the results of the analysis.
The Analysis Division uses traditional and non-traditional search analysis procedures to combine all of the available information into a workable search solution/s. The Division exists to
give search managers a second opinion. All members of Analysis are seasoned, experienced search specialists that participate in continuing education on a weekly basis.
Training:
Prospective members must have completed all of the required Ground Search training including the Team Leader Course. Experienced SAR members are selected on the basis of their
analytical and deductive reasoning abilities. Prospective members must also show proficiency in:
- Computer use; data bases, communications, SAR and GIS programs
- Map interpretation; digital and printed
- Communication skills; interviewing, crisis resolution, briefing and debriefing
- Lost person behaviour; psychology, statistics and path of least resistance theory
- Incident Command System [ICS]; implementation and usage
- Documentation; logs, reports and operational summaries
New members participate in a six month class and home study missing subject analysis program. This program includes information and material from: "Search Management" National
Search and Rescue Secretariat, Management of Search Operations {MSO} and "Search is an Emergency" from ERI, "Managing the Search Function" NASAR, William G. Syrotucks
"An Introduction to Land Search Probabilities and Calculations" - "Analysis of Lost Person Behaviour" and "Some Grid Search Techniques for Locating Lost Individuals In Wilderness
Areas", SARBC "Time Line Analysis" - "PLR Terrain Analysis" - "Shifting Probability Analysis" - "Search and Rescue Information System" training program.
Training is conducted on a one to one basis with each new member overseen by the senior Analysis members.
Information Analysis Capabilities:
- Terrain Analysis utilizing PLR identification discipline [S.A.R.I.S.]
- Custom behaviour profiles - statistical, psychological, historical
- Air photo interpretations - anomaly detection
- Confinement distance identification [SAR Data Base]
- Identification of highly probable locations [S.A.R.I.S., Time Line]
- Resource allocation advice - [Shift POA, S.A.R.I.S.]
- Specialized resource location and allocation advice [S.A.R.I.S., SAR Data Base]
- Information and data collection [trained interviewers]
- Environmental profiles [weather, tides, almanac]
- Old search, computer analysis [confidential review]
Analysis uses multiple analysis disciplines and then using deductive reasoning combines the results into a workable search solution. A typical operation requires a full pre-search analysis
including a base line sign analysis profile.
The Primary Baseline Sign Requirements are:
- Missing Subject Questionnaire General
- Missing Subject Questionnaire In-depth
- In-depth Clothing Profile
- Photographs [2 profiles]
- Scent Articles [3]
- Boot / Shoe Tracings and Data
- Hair Samples [brush / comb]
- Antigen / DNA sample [tooth brush or ?]
- Finger Prints
The rest of the pre-search analysis includes: Terrain Analysis [GIS], Aerial Photograph interpretation, Missing Subject Profile [emotional, physical, psychological], previous Search
Probability Analysis [shifting POA]. The above requirements are then processed and fed into the computer system SARIS and a Scenario Analysis conducted. SARIS will show the
areas of the highest probability and will also allow all further information to be analysed for relevance.
Physical Anomaly Analysis
Purpose: Analysis procedures are conducted for the purpose of augmenting the available information in regards to a wilderness missing person incident.
Concept: The intent of the analysis information is to assist the decision process of allocating search resources. This is accomplished by utilizing a mobile field laboratory equipped for
analysis of: fluids, fibres, clothing, hair, and other items suspected of originating from the missing subject.
Overview: PAA personel collect sign from the missing subjects residence to create a known anomaly baseline. When sign or articles are detected in the search area PAA personel will
scientifically analyse the discovery to render an opinion as to the likelihood of relevance to the missing subject.
Physical Anomaly Analysis Capabilities [General]:
- Anomaly collection [procedures and packaging]
- Anomaly preservation [documentation, drying, isolation]
- General descriptive observation and documentation [photo, video, narrative]
- Ultraviolet analysis both short wave and high power long wave
- Non-destructive blood detection
- Body fluid analysis for subject matching
- Luminol examination technique for suspect sign areas and articles
- Hair and Fibre analysis
- Fingerprint detection, matching and analysis
- Custom scent article creation [scent discriminating cadaver K-9]
- DNA sample collection and preservation [when required]
- Onsite footprint digital and film photo processing [tracking slides]
Please note : All analysis procedures are conducted for the purpose of augmenting the available information in regards to a wilderness missing person incident. The intent of the analysis information is to
assist the decision process of allocating search resources. Laboratory or analysis procedures conducted by the Search and Rescue Society of British Columbia's Special Service Unit "Analysis Division"
are not admissible in a Court of Law.
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