ASTM F1633-97

Standard Guide for Techniques in Land Search

SCOPE
1.1 This guide identifies and describes techniques that may be used by individuals or agencies when searching for persons, property or evidence, on land. The application of one or more of these techniques to any particular land search will depend upon the individual circumstances of the search and the judgment of the person responsible for conducting the search.  
1.2 This guide assists individuals and agencies by providing a list of techniques for their consideration during a land search and by providing a brief description of the application of the technique to land search. Some advantages and disadvantages, as well as the most common uses of the techniques, are discussed in the guide. The guide does not, however, purport to discuss all aspects of conducting a land search.  
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Jul-1997
• ICS: 13.200 - Accident and disaster control
• Technical Committee: F32 - Search and Rescue
• Drafting Committee: F32.02 - Management and Operations

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM F1633-97(2003) - Standard Guide for Techniques in Land Search
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2003
• Referred By: ASTM F2751-16 - Standard Guide for Training of a Land Search and Rescue Team Member
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-1997
• Referred By: ASTM F3175-16 - Standard Guide for Training and Equipping Search and Rescue Personnel Operating on Mountain Bikes (Mountain Bike SAR Endorsement)
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-1997
• Referred By: ASTM F3144-15(2022) - Standard Guide for Evaluating Trailing Search Dog Crews or Teams
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-1997
• Referred By: ASTM F2685-14(2022) - Standard Guide for Training of a Land Search Team Leader (STL)
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-1997
• Referred By: ASTM F1848-14(2022) - Standard Classification System for Canine Search Resources
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-1997
• Referred By: ASTM F1847-14(2022) - Standard Guide for Minimum Training of Search Dog Crews or Teams
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-1997
• Referred By: ASTM F2954-19 - Standard Guide for Training for Intermediate Rope Rescuer Endorsement
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-1997
• Referred By: ASTM F3072-14(2020) - Standard Guide for Intermediate Wilderness GPS/GNSS Use (GPS/GNSS-IIW) Endorsement
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-1997
• Referred By: ASTM F3222-16 - Standard Terminology Relating to F32 Land Search and Rescue Standards and Guides
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-1997
• Referred By: ASTM F1993-16(2022) - Standard Classification System of Human Land Search and Rescue Resources
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-1997
• Referred By: ASTM F1879-14(2020) - Standard Guide for Demonstrating Obedience and Agility in Search and Rescue Dogs
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-1997
• Referred By: ASTM F3098-16 - Standard Guide for Training of Non-Wilderness Land Search Team Member
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-1997
• Referred By: ASTM F3193-16 - Standard Guide for Training of a Land Search and Rescue Team Leader
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-1997
• Referred By: ASTM F3071-14(2020) - Standard Guide for Basic Wilderness GPS/GNSS Use (GPS/GNSS-IW) Endorsement
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-1997

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: F 1633 – 97
Standard Guide for
Techniques in Land Search
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1633; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.1.5 hasty search, v—to send a fast moving, well-trained
crew(s) of searchers to quickly check selected high probability
1.1 This guide identifies and describes techniques that may
area(s).
be used by individuals or agencies when searching for persons,
3.1.6 investigation, n—the systematic collection and analy-
property or evidence, on land. The application of one or more
sis of information about the lost or missing subject(s) by
of these techniques to any particular land search will depend
interviewing (interrogation) or reviewing records or evidence,
upon the individual circumstances of the search and the
or both.
judgment of the person responsible for conducting the search.
3.1.7 line search, v—to use searchers in a linear pattern(s) at
1.2 This guide assists individuals and agencies by providing
specified intervals, to investigate a defined search segment.
a list of techniques for their consideration during a land search
3.1.8 probability of area (POA), n—the probability of a
and by providing a brief description of the application of the
subject or clue being in the area or segment being searched.
technique to land search. Some advantages and disadvantages,
3.1.9 probability of detection (POD), n— the probability
as well as the most common uses of the techniques, are
that the subject or clue will be detected by the search action if
discussed in the guide. The guide does not, however, purport to
the subject or clue is in the search area.
discuss all aspects of conducting a land search.
3.1.10 search dog, n—canine trained in techniques to locate
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
a subject(s) or evidence or both.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.11 search dog crew(s), n—canine and their handler(s)
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
trained in search techniques to locate a subject(s) or evidence,
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
or both.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1.12 segment (search area), n—a geographic unit within
2. Referenced Documents the search area established for the purpose of effective and
efficient assignment of search resources.
2.1 ASTM Standard:
3.1.13 segmentation, n—the process of partitioning the
F 1767 Guide for Forms Used in Search and Rescue
search area into segments.
3. Terminology
3.1.14 segmentation, binary, n—to reduce the size of a
search area through subdivision into increasingly smaller
3.1 Definitions:
segments.
3.1.1 attraction, n—to get the attention of lost, missing or
3.1.15 tracking, v—to follow a subject(s) footprint(s),
stranded subject(s) by sound or visual methods, or both, for
track(s), or sign through varying types of terrain.
example, whistle, light, smoke.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.2 clue awareness, n—to be aware of evidence left by a
3.2.1 breakage, n—a physical rupture of material or the
subject(s) which may help to ascertain their location or
surface of material, such as frequently seen when vegetation is
direction of travel, or both.
crushed or bent by external forces such as the passage of
3.1.3 confinement, n—the act of limiting the growth of the
subjects.
potential search area by minimizing the ability of the subject(s)
3.2.2 bruising, n—changes in the subsurface of vegetation
leaving the search area undetected.
which generally leaves the surface intact but noticeably differ-
3.1.4 electronic search, n—technique(s) using electronic
ent and is the result of vegetation being crushed or squeezed by
systems or devices to locate a subject(s) or evidence, or both.
external forces such as the passage of a subject(s).
3.2.3 color change, n—changes in tone or contrast of a
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F32 on Search and
surface as a result of a disturbance which causes the disturbed
Rescue and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F32.04 on Search
area to appear different from the surroundings. An example of
Operations and Techniques.
such a change would be the turning up of sub-soil with more
Current edition approved July 10, 1997. Published March 1998. Originally
e1
published as F 1633 - 95. Last previous edition F 1633 - 95 .
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 13.02.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
F1633–97
moisture than the drier surface soil, thereby creating a darker search options that are available to search managers. Where
pattern in the disturbed area. See also shine. appropriate, the guide identifies these limitations.
3.2.4 disturbance, n—evidence of recent change, displace- 5.3 The use of the listed techniques improves the probability
ment, or rearrangement such as dislodged rocks, pebbles, of locating a lost or missing person when applied to land search
twigs, or bruised leaves. Other evidence could include breaks incidents. These techniques may be employed at the discretion
in branches, twigs, or bruised leaves at or above the ground. of and under the direction and control of a land search
3.2.5 flattening, n—when pebbles, twigs and other objects manager.
are pushed below their natural bed, indicating that something 5.4 Terms used in this guide are not intended to be compre-
very hard such as a sole or hoof of an animal has stepped on hensive, nor are they presumed to be inclusive of all terminol-
them. ogy used in the search function.
3.2.6 scuff, n—a disturbance caused by the dragging of a
6. General Considerations
foot on a surface such as is evidenced by the displacement of
a lichen on a rock. 6.1 Operational factors that are common to any search but
3.2.7 shine, n—an apparent color change in the reflection of not specific to any one phase or element of the operation are
light from surfaces as a result of disturbance to the area. listed in Table 1. Each factor should be considered when
Frequently seen as dew laden grass that has had the moisture initiating a search for a lost subject(s). Often these consider-
knocked from it as a subject walks through it or as flattened ations can be summarized to a single form such as is given in
grass from foot pressure. This is most easily seen from the example in Appendix X1.
distances between 5 and 10 m.
7. Land Search Techniques
3.2.8 sign, n—any evidence of external forces acting upon
the environment. Emphasis is placed on sign that indicates the
7.1 Attraction—Method of searching, in which the searcher
passage of the subject(s) being sought. Examples include a sole
attempts to establish contact with the subject by audio or visual
pattern imbedded in the soil as a sign that a person or shoes
means, or both. When the technique is used it is important that
have been there. the searcher remains stationary for a long enough period of
3.3 Terminology not defined in this guide but referenced in
time to be sure the subject will respond if able. This method is
the text can be found in ICS 420, Managing the Search used when the subject is believed to be responsive. The
4 5
Function, and in Search is an Emergency.
subject(s) may or may not be mobile, although mobility
improves the usefulness of the technique in many instances.
4. Summary of Guide
7.1.1 There are many ways of attracting a subject (see Table
2). Which method to use depends on a great variety of
4.1 This guide presents the land search manager with a brief
synopsis of various land search techniques that have been conditions that may exist during the search. Some of the
conditions to be considered are local background noise,
shown to be effective in locating missing subjects or evidence.
Some known strengths and weaknesses are discussed to assist weather, natural and artificial lighting present, topography,
time of day/year, and resources available.
the land search manager in selecting the most appropriate set of
techniques for the incident at hand. 7.1.2 Attraction can be used in conjunction with other
search techniques. When searchers are moving it is important
4.2 Much of the information in the guide comes from
classroom materials available through the National Association to stop at various intervals to look and listen for a response.
Observation and listening posts may be established throughout
for Search and Rescue Managing the Search Function Course
and from the Emergency Response Institute’s classroom text a search area.
Search is an Emergency.
TABLE 1 General Considerations for Land Search
5. Significance and Use
Subject Considerations: number of subjects
5.1 Lost persons are at risk of injury or death from extended age
physical condition and abilities
periods of isolation, either mental, physical or both. Their
mental condition and attitude
inability to solve immediate problems requires that search and
knowledge and training
clothing
rescue (SAR) personnel use the most efficient and effective
equipment
techniques to resolve the lost person’s situation and to mini-
self-rescue likelihood
mize the risks of injury or death.
Terrain Considerations: difficulty of travel
difficulty of access
5.2 Searching for immobile or unresponsive subjects, in-
remoteness
cluding those deceased, places further limitations upon the
exposure to object hazards
Weather Considerations: recent past
present
future
International Fire Service Training Association, Incident Command System
Time Considerations: last seen
Field Operations Guide, ICS 420 available from the International Fire Service
remaining light, if any
Training Association, Fire Protection Publications, Oklahoma State University,
sign age/longevity
Stillwater, OK 74078.
Resource Considerations: available personnel
Managing the Search Function, Third Edition, 1987. Available from the
available equipment
National Association for Search and Rescue, P.O. Box 3709, Fairfax, VA 22038. knowledge, training and experience
LaValla, Rick and Stoffel, Skip. 1987. Search is an Emergency, Emergency available air-evac assets
Response Institute, 4537 Foxhall Drive, Olympia, Washington 98506.
NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
F1633–97
TABLE 2 Examples of Attraction TABLE 3 Electronic Search Techniques
Visual Audio Subject Status/Technique Examples
lights horns Not Specially Equipped, Not
flares sirens Responsive
fires voice infrared thermal imaging helicopter Forward Looking Infrared
beacons bells (FLIR)
strobes firearms infrared illumination
smoke PA systems light amplification starlight or sniper scope
balloons whistles acoustic amplification
magnetometer
Not Specially Equipped,
Responsive
all of the above
7.2 Confinement— A search technique that presumes the
seismic sensing
subject’s ability to leave a search area can be prevented or at
acoustic interrogation loudspeaker, acoustic amplifier for
listening
least detected. It is most useful when several items of pertinent
Specially Equipped, Not
information are known, thereby enabling the subject’s rate of
Responsive
travel to be estimated. This information includes the point last
radio direction finding automatically activated Emergency
Locator Transmitter (ELT)
seen (PLS), the time the person became lost, and the mobility
avalanche beacon
of the subject keeping in mind that weather or darkness may
transponder interrogation RECCOY personnel locator
further limit the subject’s mobility.
Specially Equipped, Responsive
all of the above
7.2.1 Confinement is less effective when the search area is
radio direction finding manually activated transmitter
not well defined or is extremely large. If search tools such as
direct radio/telephone
string lines or other temporary boundaries must be built, it will communication
require much time and manpower, thereby increasing the
chances that the subject(s) may leave the search area undetec-
ted.
course of investigation, information is gathered regarding two
7.2.2 Terrain features may be conducive to the confinement
elements of lost persons. The first involves subject behavior
technique if the borders of the search segment are well defined
and survivability profiles within the boundaries of the search
by natural or man-made boundaries. Under these circum-
area. The second pertains to the potential whereabouts and
stances, boundaries tend to direct or restrict the subject’s travel.
plight of missing persons who are potentially outside the search
5 7
7.3 Electronic Search—The use of electronic systems or
area (staged incident or “bastard” search ). This could be
devices to locate a subject(s) or evidence, or both. Which
information needed by criminal investigators should the search
electronic search techniques can be used depends upon what
become criminal in nature.
equipment is available, whether or not the subject or evidence
7.5.1 Intelligence is gathered from interviews with persons
is specially equipped (for example, RECCOy, ELT), and
other than the subject(s), review of records, and examination of
whether or not the subject(s) are responsive. Table 3 summa-
evidence found during the course of the search. Relatives,
rizes the suitability of the various techniques to specific
friends, associates, and persons in the search area are prime
circumstances of a search.
candidates for interviews. Record reviews might include use
7.3.1 All of these methods, except for infrared illumination
permits, rental agreements, Department of Motor Vehicles,
and light amplification, which can be used only at night, can be
criminal history, and personal records left by the missing
used day or night. Most infrared thermal imaging systems work
subject(s). Evidence examination may include vehicles, camp-
only at night, but systems that produce color images can be
sites and other items found in the search area.
used during the day. All the methods can be used in any
7.5.2 Many agencies have found it desirable to develop
weather or terrain, but the acoustic and seismic techniques
standardized missing subject forms similar to the examples
need a relatively quiet environment to function p
...