Page 93 - SyI Quarterly - Q3 and Q4 Edition 2023

(MISPER), contraband, and buried / emplaced IEDs. The previously mentioned graduated and
co-ordinated approach rule of thumb remains that Search leads the task/ operation until an item is
located and then the EOD operator takes over. Once the item is disposed of (dealt with), then Search
comes to the fore again until the next item is located, and so on.

The NATO aims of Search are succinct and remain current and relevant: to protect potential targets
(Defensive Search), to gain evidence for prosecutions, to gain intelligence, and to deprive an adversary
of their resources (Offensive Search). NATO also state its definition of Search as the capability to
LOCATE specified TARGETS using INTELLIGENCE assessments, SYSTEMATIC procedures, and
appropriate detection TECHNIQUES.

Search as a capability is sometimes considered to be a dark art and only useful in CT scenarios, so
I will introduce some context associated with Police / Law Enforcement Search. The strategies and
methodologies that have been derived and born from the original Combat Engineer and EOD
elements, can and do regularly deliver a huge impact on law enforcement tasks or investigations The
1
systematic approach and emphasis are on the human senses (touch, smell, hearing, sight, and the
all-important “spider-sense” (situational awareness)). Search teams’ internal (inclusive)
communications are critical to mission success, and these discussions (continual collaborative
analysis), comparisons, ideas, and suggestions are the key to unlocking the solution to ANY problem or
task.

Search is a Mindset

Search strategies or plans document the methodologies used (evidence-based assessments). These
can then be used to underpin any legal proceedings and will also provide data for further analysis and
interrogation for intelligence purposes. For strategic commanders, Search provides a non-lethal
capability that can and will support the full spectrum of operations. More importantly, when
considered holistically, Search is a force multiplier and will always deliver a tactical advantage in many
forms, such as:

• Physical evidence / ordnance 2
• Exploitable intelligence - hard and soft copy (mass storage devices are popular)
3
• Proof that an area / building is free from EO

Results of Search activity are regularly used to prove whether or not intelligence or evidence-based
assessments were correct. In my experience, this information allows decisions to be made regarding
moving on to subsequent target areas or lines of enquiry. Search supports many complex tasks and
seldom are people who employ Search teams disappointed.

Image 7. Results of a
successful Search task
1 in a high security facility
2 (Source: Google)
3

Image 8. Results of a
successful Search task in
Iraq (Source: Google)

1. One of the aims of Search is to to gain evidence for prosecutions, and to gain intelligence.
2. Collection of Physical evidence/ordnance with a forensically aware ‘chain-of-evidence’
3.This includes the situational awareness element that the individual on the ground can add. The description of the environment when combined with other
descriptions of other scenes may help to show a pattern, build a picture, and show the adversary’s TTPs.
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