VIRTUAL SEARCH WITH PAUL BURKE

After the Virtual Search Plan is provided...what's next?

If you've been following our podcast we've been talking at length about the process of Virtual Search Planning and the deliverables it produces: plans for searching for other, mapping for resources, case analyses..., but what do you actually do with the plan? Who gets it (or should get it), and how it is used. We will clear that up for you and bring this effort full circle. 

Recognition_-Primed Decision making for SAR

Critical decisions are made ever day, but often the majority of us see this as nothing more than a random act with unknown consequences. In fact, often individuals make these decisions and they appears reckless and without thought. In many cases that evaluation couldn't be further from the truth. What you may be seeing is the use of RPD.
What is Recognition-Primed Decision making and how is it used in a wide variety of critical decision making incidents? This podcast sheds light on what it is, how it is acquired and maintained, and what it looks like when you see it in action. 

Dementia: The Cambria CA Search

In the Summer of 2006, I was asked to train 60 Naval Sea Cadets in a course for Land Search and Rescue Technician at Camp San Louis Obispo, CA. As background, Naval Sea Cadets is a youth development program sponsored by the Navy, aimed at teaching young people 10-18 years of age about naval operations, leadership, and teamwork. This particular group were from 14-18, and hailed from various locations across the US. While they were expected to learn what it takes to properly search for and recover missing persons, never in their (or my) wildest dreams did they expect to work an actual search, let alone find a subject and save his life! This story showcases many great things: The impact these programs can have on high school kids by teaching them life skills and leadership when it counts, but also how a community, an agency, and even an old search and rescue guy can learn a few things from the next generation.  While VSP was not a formal program at the time of this search, it was part of the foundation for VSP in how behavior and information join together to create a picture of the lost. And if you happened to be one of those Naval Sea Cadets who trained in the summer of 2006 with us, we'd love to hear from you!

Social Media in the "Annie" Schmidt Search

This is the story of a 2016 search in which VSP assisted the Multnomah Co. Sheriff's Office in Oregon. Ms. Schmidt had recently moved to Portland from her childhood home in Utah, and just shortly before a visit by her mother, Ms. Schmidt went missing. Her vehicle was located in a parking area along the Colombia River east of Portland, a spot known for its hiking trails and scenic view. After a multi-day operation, the search was suspended. VSP was contacted and asked to review the facts surrounding the subject. Subsequent work and analysis eventually led the agency to look in another location which led to her personal effects being located, and subsequently Ms. Schmidt being located deceased. This search highlights the additional information and analysis used to locate the subject, and how, in some occasions, you may be looking for someone completely different from what you first thought.

Searching for Children on the Autism Spectrum

The search for a missing child is often difficult, made more so if the child is somewhere on the autism spectrum. Understanding the issues associated with their physical and social development takes more consideration than the average child. In this podcast we discuss some of the symptoms, social interaction and communications challenges faced by search planners and field resources. We also look at patterns of behavior that can help search planners better understand possible areas that will aid in their recovery. While this sessions talks about a missing 4 year old autistic boy from Georgia lost in 2024, it is similar to many autism subjects and their search outcomes. For those with further interest in this subject, we urge you to check out the following websites for more information: https://www.autismspeaks.org/
Autism spectrum disorder - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic

Jacksonville FL 2019 (Part 1): A Paradigm Shift

This is an earlier search performed at a time when Virtual Search was coming into its own, and the request of a city desperate to locate two missing children. The story is broken into two parts, with this podcast focused on how Virtual Search was designed and delivered to work for missing persons. From a "process' designed to focus on the subject, and the "just-in-time" training of competent fire and police agencies, Virtual Search collaborated with the City of Jacksonville FL to locate and return two missing children at Christmas. The story was documented in the July 2021 issue of Florida Fire Service, and became the foundation of the MEPSAR Program (Part II).

Searching for Despondent Subjects

Hey, just a quick heads up. In this episode we talk about suicide and mental health. If that feels heavy or hard to hear right now, please take care of yourself first, and listen to this at your own pace and in a safe place. If you need support, you don’t have to go through it alone. Help is always available. The National Help Line is 988.
The successful search of an individual in a despondent state, or one contemplating suicide, has its foundation in their prior history and other critical factors discussed in this podcast. This is an analytical look at these factors and where they lead us to find the missing person. Search Managers and resources should have a thorough understanding of how these factor will affect your subject, and aid in search detection. 

Weather and its role in Search: Annabelle Follosco

Often searchers think of weather and its effects on search operations and the resources, but weather before, during, and after a person goes missing can play a significant role, and control what that subject does. In the Follosco search a random picture opens the door to a significant yet fleeting weather event that was missed by searchers during the initial operation. A small fact found in a posted "selfie" provided enough information and drove a search to a completely different conclusion. 

The Classic Virtual Search: Samuel Ferguson

The Virtual Search Planning process is based on foundational skills and a process to take data and convert that data to what is referred to as "actionable Intelligence". It is the analysis of this data that defines search operations and leads well-trained tactical resources to the very best conclusion of any search, the finding of the subject. Follow us while we talk about the search for Samuel Ferguson and the positive outcome after four days lost.

Specialized Search Operations: Thomas Nazarro (Part II)

In this Podcast we finish the story regarding the search operations for Thomas Nazarro in 1999. We talk about specialized search resources and how we had to acquire unique capabilities in support of a safe and effective search. We conclude with some discussion of management efforts related to highly technical search operations .