Basic Uses
Some Basic Uses of Tracking Skills in Law Enforcement
We can all be taught the value of tracks and tracking and basic tracking skills to some degree. To become a “Tracker” takes time and commitment the same as any other specialized skill.
The use of foot impression evidence, tracking and track interpretation is just as relevant, (and probably more prevalent), as any other forensic evidence. Some forensic scientists even refer to it as “the missed evidence”.
Some of the benefits of tracking knowledge for law enforcement are:
· A basic knowledge of tracking and foot impression evidence aids in prompting confessions, provides physical evidence for convictions and enhances Officer Safety.
· The ability to properly articulate tracking and foot impression evidence in a court of law
· Determine number of persons involved
· Disprove an incident happened all together
· Most tracks can be assessed by a trained officer and used to determine or eliminate suspects at the scene, unlike DNA and fingerprints that has to be sent to the lab
· Find, Document and Interpret Footprint Evidence at Crime Scenes
· Find and/or Eliminate Directions of Travel
· Extend Crime Scenes
· Find Evidence away from the scene
· Determining egress and ingress locations
· Perimeter security
· Intelligence gathering/reconnaissance
· Search and Rescue
· Proven Effective in Recovering armed and dangerous fugitives in rural areas
· Tracking compliments and enhances a canine handler’s mission.
