David Diaz - Tracking Humans: A Fundamental Approach to Finding Missing Persons, Insurgents, Guerrillas, and Fugitives from the Law

TRACKING

HUMANS

Copyright 2005, 2013 by David Diaz and V.L. McCann

First Lyons Paperback Edition, 2013

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted in writing from the publisher. Requests for permission should be addressed to Globe Pequot Press, Attn: Rights and Permissions Department, PO Box 480, Guilford, CT 06437.

Lyons Press is an imprint of Globe Pequot Press.

All page numbers refer to the printed book.

Excerpt on page 13 from The Elephants Child, by Rudyard Kipling.

Excerpt on page 21 from The Anatomy of Human Destructiveness, by Erich Fromm.

Excerpt on page 81 from Burnt Norton from Four Quartets by T.S. Eliot.

Excerpt on page 111 from Selected Essays by Samuel Johnson.

Text Design: Sheryl P. Kober

Layout: Mary Ballachino

ISBN 978-0-7627-9481-2

The Library of Congress has previously catalogued an earlier (hardcover) edition as follows:

Diaz, David, 1959

Trackingsigns of man, signs of hope : a systematic approach to the art and science of tracking humans / David Diaz with V. L. McCann.

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 1-59228-686-0 (trade paper)

1. Missing personsInvestigation. 2. Forensic sciences. 3. Criminal investigation. I. McCann, V. L. II. Title.

HV6762.A3D52 2005

363.2'336dc22

2005006063

Dedicated to the missing and exploited children throughout the world and to those members of the American Armed Forces who were, are, or ever will be held as prisoners of war or declared missing in action.

The instinct of man is to pursue everything that flies from him, and to fly from all that pursue him.

Voltaire

CONTENTS

FOREWORD

In this period, when modern armies are uncompromisingly reshaping their respective forces to face the challenges and threats of the twenty-first century in a high-tech mindset, the primordial principles of tracking still prove their responsiveness, in the same way as when human beings still hunted for their food. Tracking Humans rekindles the light and illuminates the path toward the need to relearn the skills of tracking. Above and beyond, this book will certainly trigger the conceptualization of new sensors and surveillance equipment for improved combat effectiveness.

During my stint as commander, 18th Infantry Battalion, Philippine Army, I had the chance to train with SFC David Diaz on Basilan Island, Philippines, during bilateral military exercises in 2002. David was called upon to share his expertise on tracking with the members of the battalion because we both believe that, indeed, tracking matters. His same training program was reintroduced into the Philippine Army and has been successfully and aggressively implemented ever since.

Lt. Col. Daniel Lucero

18th Infantry Battalion

Philippine Army

Dave Diaz is an acknowledged expert on tracking and field craft, recognized throughout the US Armys Special Operations community. His methods have proven themselves through success by empowering soldiers to effectively track armed combatants during the Global War on Terror. Daves book is an excellent digest of his validated methods of instruction and techniques. Id recommend it as a must read for all field soldiers and trainers. It provides invaluable tools to execute stand-alone tracking courses or enhance sniper or reconnaissance programs.

CSM John G. Macejunas

US Army (Retired)

Tracking Humans by David Diaz is probably the most succinct tactical/tracking writing that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. It offers something for everyone, from outdoorsman, policeman, and rescue personnel to SPECOPS operator. It allows the reader to gain valuable insight into techniques and methods that when practiced will significantly increase survivability and effectiveness, depending on the use. As a twenty-six-year Army veteran, seventeen-plus of which was as a SOF operator, I highly recommend this book for those serious about operating in the field, whether you are a soldier, law enforcement officer, or rescue professional.

CW3 Michael Haugen

1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)

Fort Lewis, Washington, US Army

Tactical tracking has become a critical skill for the Global War on Terror, and only a handful of people have the expertise and experience of Dave Diaz. I had the good fortune of working with Dave on Basilan Island, Philippines, in the spring and summer of 2001. Dave had worked on me for months with his ideas of how tracking could be applied to our efforts there. He changed the way we looked at everything and made our detachment realize the importance of understanding everything. What Dave really taught us was Intelligence Preparation of the Battlefield (IPB) to the square inch. Dave teaches his Trackers to collect data in all types of terrain, weather, and culture in the area of operation. This data is then analyzed to the point where it becomes instinctual to the Tracker.

Dave became a surrogate member of our team in the Philippines and planned, coordinated, and executed a six-week tracker course for the Filipino soldiers we were advising. The results of his course were nothing short of astounding. In six weeks, he took these soldiers from barely being able to pass an army physical fitness test to completing an extremely demanding field training exercise. The soldiers were taught techniques for collecting tracking data and how to apply that data to actual tracking. Some of the soldiers became so proficient in their tracking that they could track on their hands and knees during hours of limited visibility. The most visible change was the soldiers situational awareness (culture, terrain, and weather) and attention to detail in every task (especially tracking reports that would help commanders make informed decisions). The skills and techniques Dave teaches can be applied from the jungles of the Philippines to the deserts of the Middle East and will keep soldiers alive as well as bring terrorists to justice.

Captain Michael Perry

1st Special Forces Group (Airborne)

Fort Lewis, Washington, US Army

INTRODUCTION

Tracker. The very word forms images of buckskin-clad braves crouching over the ground, carefully studying the signs before them. It brings back memories of old cavalry movies where the dust-worn officers watch and wait while the scout reaches out his hand, touches the hoofprint near his foot, stands up, and points to the horizon declaring, South. Three days ride. It is an image that fills the average person with awe and wonder. How does the scout know which way theyre heading? How does he know the print is three days old?

In the movie Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, Butch and Sundance try every trick they know to shake the slow, steady advance of their pursuers. They double up on one horse, watching with surprise when the posse divides in two and then quickly comes back together againdead on their trail. Who are these guys? they keep asking. After setting off on foot, they watch in disbelief as a famed Indian scout tracks them over solid rock. How does he do that? they ask again.