SEARCH MANAGEMENT
Merrill's Search Management Team has more missing persons search, recovery, evidence preservation and crime scene location experience than the lead investigative agencies of most states. Most Law enforcement agencies will never conduct enough searches to become truly proficient at managing their intricacies.
Search management is a science developed and honed by the members of Merrill's Search Management Team. Building on their decades of experience working for and with the Maine Warden Service, the Merrill's Search Management Team knows what it takes to conduct a successful search. The Team's experience with handling data, modeling human behaviors, strategic planning, resource management, motivating and supporting individuals, and finding lost and missing persons makes Merrill's the number one private sector search resource in the country.
Maine is one of only four states in the nation where the law
provides for only one state agency to be responsible for all search and rescue activities within that state. The Merrill's team spent years honing the art of search management before bringing their skills to the private sector. Whether leading a search or collaborating with law enforcement, the Merrill's team has the resources to do the job right. Personnel include forensic scientists, criminal psychologists, investigators, dog handlers, experienced incident commanders, search managers and mapping specialists.
When the trail is turning cold, the Merrill's team can collaborate with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to review past search activities and use science to determine new search strategies and techniques and comprehensive turn-key solutions. Our team members are nationally acclaimed and accredited; they have numerous searches to their credit.
The Merrill's Search Management Team thoroughly understands and applies the science of conducting effective searches. Its members have made substantial contributions to the development of modern search techniques and continue to refine and perfect the science.
Contact Us to discuss your search management challenge and how the Merrill's Search Management Team can lead or support your effort.
THE FUNDAMENTALS OF SEARCH MANAGEMENT
Training
The most successful searches begin well in advance of a request for services. Our network of investigators and specialty search resources has received the best training available. When they are not actively participating in a search, the team members are preparing for the next search by attending classes and seminars on the latest techniques and technologies. The Merrill's Search Management Team brings the best prepared resources to the search...Every Time!
Research
Scientific searches require quality data and quality inputs. Use of internal and external resources is maximized with the focus on detail, and with the goals of efficiency and accuracy constantly in mind. Victim profiles, suspect profiles and incident reports are carefully created, analyzed and documented.
Planning
Every search is assigned an incident commander who selects a team, assigns tasks and leads the team through each phase of the search. Technology options are reviewed and selected and every K-9 is fitted with a GPS tracking device that logs its exact search path. Budgets are managed and a timeline is created to ensure that every opportunity for success is exploited, coordinated and well documented.
Preparation
Equipment, supplies, communications stations and travel arrangements are just a few of the areas where extensive preparations are made. Supported by home-office staff and an advance team sent to the search site early, every opportunity for success is considered. Merrill's knows the importance of being prepared.
Conducting a Search
The execution of a search is where the true skills of proper management are revealed. All Merrill's teams are trained to take careful steps to avoid the inadvertent destruction of sensitive crime scene evidence when a victim is found. Crime scene preservation is a critical, yet often overlooked, component of providing successful closure in most search cases.
Output
Every detail of a search is exhaustively documented including the exact GPS tracks from every K-9 team involved in the search. Video, photos, maps, logs, samples, evidence and all other relevant data is supplied. With the measure of success often being subjective and not always immediate, documentation is crucial. A comprehensive report is provided to support any future legal proceedings or search activities.