Our Training Programs
From introductory tracking skills to advanced scout tracker certification, we have a course for your mission.
Human Tracking Forensics
Designed for Search and Rescue and Law Enforcement. A formal scientific method of track evidence analysis, documentation, and case resolution. The recognized standard of the U.S. Marshals Service (standards set by Cmdr. Ty Cunningham, MS, CMST #0481-R). Special skills designation for SAR or LE with certification testing upon completion of training.
Course Topics/Services:
- Visual Tracking: Reading footprints, disturbed vegetation, soil compression, and subtle sign
- Track Interpretation: Direction of travel, footwear patterns, gait, and track age
- Sign Cutting: Locating and re-acquiring tracks through indirect indicators
- Field Tactics: Movement strategies, lost-track procedures, and team coordination
- Court Documentation and Preparation of Track Evidence
- Documentation: Sketching, photographing, and noting track evidence
- Tracker Qualities, Virtues, Code of Conduct, & Credo
- Tracking as a Science & Foundation to Accurate Observational Art
- Scientific Language for Human Tracking (Track & Trackway) Forensics
- Behavior, Gait, Spoor Paradigm & OCISE Algorithm
- Gait-Footfall Sequence & Spoor-Chain Signature
- Search Exercises Within Incident Reconstruction Areas
- Foot Measurement Analysis & Quadrant Reference Analysis
Scout/Tactical Tracking Phase 1
Foundation course in scout and tactical tracking. Learn to identify ground spoor, basic tracking techniques, route selection, and track pursuit fundamentals.
Topics Covered:
- Basic tracking techniques & visual tracking
- How to identify ground spoor
- Route selection & track pursuit
- Determining the age of sign/spoor
- Lost track procedure & sign-cutting
- Counter tracking awareness
Scout/Tactical Tracking Phase 2
Builds on Phase 1 with team-based tracking operations, scout tracking techniques, and intelligence gathering during tracking operations.
Topics Covered:
- Tracking team formations for different terrain
- Combat tracking techniques
- Immediate action drills
- Operations planning & command procedures
- Intelligence gathering while tracking
- Point man techniques
Scout/Tactical Tracking Phase 3
Advanced tactical operations integrating tracking with woodland fieldcraft, small unit movement, reconnaissance, and surveillance in operational environments.
Topics Covered:
- Small unit movement & tactics
- Reconnaissance & surveillance
- Land navigation
- Camouflage, concealment & light discipline
- Deception tactics
- Boobytraps/intrusion detection & avoidance
Scout/Tactical Tracking Phase 4
Expert-phase scout/tactical tracking. Comprehensive mastery of tactical woodland operations, team leadership, and the ability to plan and execute full tracking missions in hostile or complex environments.
Topics Covered:
- Tactical medical & casualty evacuation
- Hand signals & field communications
- Full mission planning & execution
- Team leadership & command
- Extended woodland operations
- Scout surveillance for rural law enforcement
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SAR Tracking Phase 1
Foundation search and rescue tracking for SAR teams, first responders, and wilderness rescue personnel. Introduction to human tracking principles applied to finding missing persons.
Topics Covered:
- Basics of human ground sign
- Track awareness for SAR personnel
- Missing persons response
- Preserving sign at scenes
- Supporting a tracking team
- Agency tracking team formation
SAR Tracking Phase 2
Advanced SAR tracking building on Phase 1 with expanded operational capabilities, urban tracking environments, and integration with broader search operations and incident command.
Topics Covered:
- Advanced SAR tracking techniques
- Urban tracking
- Counter tracking awareness
- Scout surveillance & reconnaissance
- Integration with SAR incident command
- Extended search operations