Basic Search Patterns

Question 1

The five basic search patterns are:

Answer 1

• Circle or spiral
• Strip or line
• Grid
• Zone
• Point to point

Question 2

The circle or spiral search pattern is an effective method for:

Answer 2

• Interior scenes
• Searcher begins on the outside of the area or room, and then
  moving in a slow circle, searches in a spiral pattern inward.
• The primary consideration managing pace of the search.

Question 3

The _______search are utilized for exterior large area scenes.

Answer 3

• Strip and line

* Classic examples are yards and parking lots

Question 4

The searcher or team divides the area in question into functional strips or lanes. The searcher or team starts at one end of the scene and begins searching each strip, reversing direction at the end of a lane and searching the next adjacent strip until all areas are covered.

Answer 4

• Strip

Question 5

The______is similar to the strip search with the primary difference being a large group of searchers line up on the lanes and move down the strips in unison in the same direction with each person checking their assigned area.

Answer 5

• Line

Question 6

The line search is effective when dealing with:

Answer 6

• Uneven terrain

Question 7

In the line search, to keep the line moving:

Answer 7

• As items are found, evidence is flagged and a team comes in behind searchers to process the evidence.

Question 8

In the line search, searchers must move at close proximity with one another but no faster than the _____.

Answer 8

• Slowest searcher

Question 9

The ____search is another variation of the strip search. The area is divided into two sets of strips or lanes that run at 90 degrees angle to each other. Once divided as described, the searcher treats each set of lanes in same fashion as a strip search configuration.

Answer 9

• Grid

Question 10

In the _____search, the searcher begins at one set of lanes and after reaching the end searches the second set of lanes providing a second check of the same ground or terrain from two perspectives.

Answer 10

• Grid

Question 11

The_______search is useful in searching small confined spaces.

Answer 11

• Zone

* Example: vehicle search

Question 12

In the_____search of a vehicle, it is divided into zones, which are covered independently.

Answer 12

• Zone

Question 13

Another variation of the _______search is to subdivide a larger scene into manageable pieces of ground, which can be covered with another search method.

Answer 13

• Zone

* For example: large field and a residence