Introduction
The art of reading and interpreting human tracks and signs has proved to be crucial for the resolution of some crime scenes.
The starting point is Doctor Edmond Locard’s principle, which states that “every contact leaves a trace”.
By that, each single context (either outdoor either indoor) has been interested by the passage of one or more individuals.
The main issue is looking for tracks in tough & rough surfaces, which makes the detection of footprints quite challenging, especially when the time goes by.
In this article we will see how footwear evidence was decisive for successfully gaining data on the offenders. At the same time, we will understand how to combine it with home surveillance.
Footwear Evidence and Home surveillance
As I explained largely in this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mW-od_Se_s4&t=8s)
The Tracker is, tout court, a detective.
In fact, he collects data from:
- the ground
- vertical and/or horizontal surfaces
- vegetation
- discharged material
- items left on purpose
In second istance, he elaborates the whole picture by putting the single clues together. By that, he answers questions on what/who/why/how a person (or a party) did specific things in a specific time/place frame.
Let’s consider now the art of reading and deciphering tracks in combination with home security.
Situational awareness is surely the cornerstone of securing your goods and your people.
As a matter of fact, if you have knowledge about tracking, consequentially you will be able to detect any illegal break in inside your home.
Additionally, you will be capable of stablishing when it occurred and how many individuals actually took part of it.
Animal Tracking can play a valuable role too.
In fact, by applying a methodical observation, especially in the early hours of the day, you can also recognize which species of animals approached your garden during the night and, consequentially, develop awareness on how to deal with them.
About The Author
Article by Kyt Lyn Walken. Official Representative and Instructor for Hull’s Tracking School and Certified Conservation Ranger for the NGO Conservation Rangers Operations Worldwide. Kyt will be in the UK running a workshop 18 – 20 February, 2022 Telford, Shropshire (U.K.) “The Art of Tracking Class” with FERAL YAMYAM BUSHCRAFT School.
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