Transcript Document

NOVA SCOTIA GROUND SEARCH
AND RESCUE ASSOCIATION
EVIDENCE SEARCH
EVIDENCE SEARCH
All Searches will
be done in
conjunction with a
police agency.
In Nova Scotia for
HRSAR, that will
mostly be the
Royal Canadian
Mounted Police
or HRM Police.
EVIDENCE SEARCH
Most evidence
searches are
usually dealing
with serious
crimes (i.e.
murder, sexual
assault).
EVIDENCE SEARCH
If you are asked to become involved in an
evidence search, some of the things that
will be asked of you are:
Confidentiality
Do not discuss with anyone what you find
 What you may see
 What you may hear

EVIDENCE SEARCH
As with most serious criminal investigations,
evidence which is gathered or not gathered
should not be common knowledge.
You could be summoned as a witness in a court
of law
Reason for age restriction - over 19 for HRSAR
– Christie Salter case
Since it is a not a primary response
responsibility of GSAR, members are not
“expected” to attend.
EVIDENCE SEARCH
When asked to become involved in an evidence search,
you may or may not be told what you are looking for.
i.e. if you are looking for a missing person, this would be
very specific therefore you would be told:
If the police investigator in the case is looking for some
type of evidence s/he may not want that information
released.
The investigator may not even know what kind of
evidence she is looking for. The area being searched
may contain some unknown evidence which only would
be found by a thorough search.
DEFINITION OF PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
Physical evidence is
any tangible article,
small or large, which
tend to provide or
disprove a point in
question.
It may be used to:
Reconstruct the
crime.
Identify the
participant/s.
Confirm or discredit
an alibi.
CONDUCTING SEARCHES
Person in charge:
This would be the lead police investigator s/he would
oversee the search.
Search Manager/ IC
In charge of search and how the search will be
conducted:
 Search IC will determine the size of the search, type
of search, & length of search
Generally conducted during optimum searcher available
times – weekends
Maybe seasonally optimized – lower foliage / snow
Maybe called early due to impending environmental impact.
TEAM LEADERS
Takes instruction
from the Search
Manager in dealing
with the search
itself.
Team leader is in
charge of a group
of searchers – it
can be a large line/
group
TEAM LEADERS
Any evidence or possible evidence located
by the searchers will be relayed to the team
leader.
Team leader will look at evidence to
determine if it is relevant or not.
If of interest, the item will be officially
discovered and tagged by the police.
SEARCHERS
Persons who are asked to
become involved in some
type of search.
They should belong to
some specific search and
rescue organization.
Searchers all come from
our community and
depending on their
background, can offer
some type of expertise in
their field (i.e. electronic
person, expert woodsman
who is familiar with the
area).
SEARCHERS
Searchers are the
most important part of
the program. Their
dedication to the
search will result in
the outcome of a
successful search.
Keep them happy….
SEARCH SITE
All persons who come into a search site or is
involved in a search will be signed in.
No person will be allowed to get involved in an
evidence search unless s/he is signed in and that
person is approved by the search manager / IC.
SEARCH SITE
Once that person leaves
the search site s/he will
enter the log book as
signing off the search
site.
Once the search site has
been searched and the
specific task has been
completed all materials
brought to the site will be
cleaned up. (i.e.
garbage, flagging tape or
any other accessories).
WHEN EVIDENCE IS FOUND
WHEN EVIDENCE IS FOUND
Depending on what is
found:
The evidence should only
be handled by the
searchers finding the
evidence. The searcher
in turn informs the team
leader.
Or how old the evidence
may be:
the evidence should not
be moved from where it is
located. Attempt to keep
it in its original state as
found.
WHEN EVIDENCE IS FOUND
Team will advises police personnel on site who is in
charge of exhibits:
All evidence found will be marked and recorded in notebooks.
Flagging tape is a good way of marking the evidence and the
area in which it was found.
WHEN EVIDENCE IS FOUND
Once evidence is found,
all persons in search will
stop and wait for further
instructions on whether
to continue with the
entire search or stop.
The main reason would
be to determine whether
continuing on with the
search may destroy any
further possible
evidence.
HOW SHOULD THE AREA BE
Every search
SEARCHED
conducted is
different from
the last. This
would depend
on the
circumstances
and type of
search that is
required.
HOW SHOULD THE AREA BE
SEARCHED
The area closest to the main target site will
be examined very closely.
This area may need to be searched inch by
inch.
This are may need to be sifted thoroughly.
HOW SHOULD THE AREA BE SEARCHED
As you move away from the target area, you may
need to search the area on your hands and knees.
(type IV)
As you expand your search, searchers may only
need a walk through.
Make sure all foreign objects are checked out:
i.e. in a wooded area:
 Unless you know what you are looking for,
anything that is foreign to the forest floor
should be considered as possible evidence.
THE SEARCH SITE
Computer Mapping
THE SEARCH SITE
The Search site or area will
have to be marked off in grid
search patterns.
Depending on the search site,
flagging tape will be used to
mark the search area.
The search site area is to be
broken down into smaller
sections or grid patterns with
the flagging tape.
The sections are to be
searched for all possible
evidence.
THE SEARCH SITE
Once the area has been
thoroughly searched, it
will be recorded as
completed. The search
coordinator will be
advised what was
searched and if anything
was found.
Each section to be done
one at a time until the
whole area is
completed.
GRID SEARCH
X1
X2
X3
4
5
9
13
6
10
14
7
11
15
8
12
16
Once each section is
completed, it should be
marked off as completed.
SEARCH TEAM
The size of the teams will depend on the size of the area to
be searched.
The larger the area the greater the number of searchers.
The searcher will stand, kneel, side by side, shoulder to
shoulder and move in a straight line together
Never going faster or slower than the person next to you.
By staying together you will make sure the total area search
will be done properly.
SEARCH TEAM
Speed is not necessary. Your only concern is that the
area you search is done right.
If it is done right the 1st time you will not be second
guessing yourself wondering did I miss anything.
TOOLS WHICH MAY BE REQUIRED
Chain saws
Shovels
Axe
Hand saws
Wheel barrows
Flagging tape
String
Small hand
shovels
Metal detectors
TOOLS WHICH MAY BE REQUIRED
Metal screening for sifting dirt.
Heavy equipment, back hoe, excavator.
Water pumps.
Boots.
Anything that can be used to assist the
searcher to perform the desired task.
Enthusiasm: some searches may take
hours, some may lead to days and weeks.
TOOLS WHICH MAY BE REQUIRED
TOOLS WHICH MAY BE REQUIRED
TOOLS WHICH MAY BE REQUIRED
TOOLS WHICH MAY BE REQUIRED
TOOLS WHICH MAY BE REQUIRED
Safety ?
Syringes
Ammunition
Traps / triggers
BIO-hazard
???
TOOLS WHICH MAY BE REQUIRED…
MK1602 Crash - Hfx International Airport – Oct 2004