EVIDENCE SEARCH NOVA SCOTIA GROUND SEARCH AND RESCUE ASSOCIATION

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

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 SEARCHED Every search 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 Once each section is completed, it should be marked off as completed X X X

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 1 st 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

Safety ? Syringes Ammunition Traps / triggers BIO-hazard ???

TOOLS WHICH MAY BE REQUIRED… MK1602 Crash - Hfx International Airport – Oct 2004