Two LCSO Detectives recently completed a 40 hour Forensic Visual Man Tracking Course held at Montgomery Bell State Park in Burns, TN.
Sergeant Detective Kevin Kirkland and Sergeant Detective Shane Gaumer completed the 40 hour course Thursday night.
The Mountain Trackers Association Forensic Visual Man Tracking course is designed to teach basic and advanced understanding of tracking an individual in a multitude of conditions and terrain. Emphasis lies on locating foot sign, shadow lines, and other visual patterns that aids in locating a missing individual. Assisting in the training were the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and the Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU).
Kirkland and Gaumer used methods to learn how to recognize track traps, flashlights (brightly colored broken limbs that illuminate where a person has walked), flags, crush, lug pattern, slide, brushback, rub, transfer, and shine. These traces left by humans will aid in locating individuals such as injured hunters, lost hikers, lost children, and on-the-run fugitives.
Congratulations Detectives Kirkland and Gaumer! We look forward to the knowledge and expertise you will bring back to the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office and the Criminal Investigations Division.
