History

WHat is modern visual tracking?

Tracking in 2009

Most people today have a very distorted view of what tracking really is and The image of an apache Indian scout following the trail of horse mounted cavalry somewhere in arizona teritory seems to be the prevailing view. the truth is very different. tracking, now known as modern combat tracking, differs greatly from the older model in that it incorporates modern technology fused with ancient tracking skills resulting in a formidable  and valuable skill set applicable to all phases of warfare over a whole variety of operational areas world-wide. Modern combat tracking is now used tactically, operationally and strategically. It can be used in conventional warfare as well as in a counter-insurgency role . it can be used overtly as well as covertly, actively or passively,  day and night,  in a Force Protection role and as a collector of forensic evidence.

TTOS separates visual tracking into two clearly distinct fields, that of Tactical Tracking  for  law enforcement, and Combat Tracking for the military. Though functionally the same in practice, the two differ materially inasmuch that although both have to adhere to strict rules of engagement. However,  law enforcement trackers must adhere strictly to their departmental policies and procedures in terms of the use of deadly force and seek an arrest, unlike military combat trackers who can often engage in immediate offensive action against their quarry.  The primary reason for the distinction is to clearly differentiate between the two types of tracking operations, which while seemingly a matter of semantics can nevertheless be extremely important in legal contexts.

The dynamics of both Tactical and Combat tracking are largely identical, as are the attributes necessary to be successful in each.  The differences between the two become obvious when the tracking team follows and makes contact with the fleeing quarry.  Law Enforcement and Corrections officers will do their best to apprehend or make an arrest, whereas military combat trackers are free to apply deadly force as permitted by their Rules of Engagement.  Law Enforcement and Corrections Officers are governed their departmental policies and procedures and judicial precedent.