PERFORM A PERSONNEL
SEARCH
TASK #191-376-5208
Outline
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Administrative Remarks
Action, Condition, Standards (TLO)
Organization of the Search Team
Conduct Contact Search
Conduct Non-contact Search
Summary and Review
Knowledge Check
Conclusion
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Administration
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Cell phones
Building evacuation
Environment
Risk Level = Low
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ELO
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Action: Perform a Personnel Search
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Conditions: In a training area with ample room for students
practice and instructional feedback, given a block of
instruction, and demonstration on the standing search on a
subject.
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Standards: Thoroughly search all persons entering or
exiting the checkpoint. Personnel with contraband are not
permitted through the checkpoint. Personnel with
contraband are detained and the personnel search team
sustains no injuries.
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Organization of the Search Team
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Personnel (SOS)
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The Searcher
The Observer
The Security (2)
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The Searcher
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S.O.S.
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The individual performing the search
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The Observer
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S.O.S
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Acts as an over watch, to maintain overall eye
contact with person being searched.
To detect threat to team, pays particular attention to:
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Hands
Eyes
Allows The Searcher to focus on detailed search.
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The Observer (cont.)
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Must be able to move freely to prevent
anyone from getting between him and the
individual being searched
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The Security
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S.O.S
A team of two soldiers that have the
responsibility of restricting access to and from
the search area and provide area security
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Establishing the site
The Searcher
The Observer
Security
Detainee
Security
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Weapons
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Only The Security will have a weapon
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Rules of Engagement (ROE) is to use minimal
force such as a BUTT Stroke to the shoulder.
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Communication
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STOPLIGHT METHOD
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GREEN: Everything is okay with search, the Security
remains at Port Arms.
YELLOW: Means the Searcher has seen or felt
something, but is not sure what it is. On Yellow the
Security stays at Port Arms but at a higher state of alert
in order to administer a butt stroke to the shoulder.
RED: Definite threat to the team. On Red, the team
STOPS, DETAINS, and REPORTS to higher. The
Security will point their weapon at the individual but
will not put finger on trigger or take the weapon off
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safe.
Two types of Searches
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Contact
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Male searching Male
Female searching Female
Non-Contact
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Male searching Female
Female searching Male
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Conduct Contact Search
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Head
Hair
Collar
Arm
Chest
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Back
Waist
Leg
Groin
Foot
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Head
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The Searcher will instruct the person to
remove his/her hat and sweep the inside and
outside of it.
Once that is complete. Have them hand it to
the Searcher.
The Searcher will conduct the same search.
Once satisfied, the Searcher will place the hat
on the table.
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Hair
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Regardless if they have long or short hair, check
everyone the same way.
Have them bend forward at the waist and rake
their fingers through their hair, from back to
front. Look for anything that might be woven
into the hair (i.e. det-cord or blasting caps).
While bent over, look around the neck for any
chains or a necklace. Once satisfied have them
stand up, if they have a chain or necklace, have
them take it out so you can see if anything is
woven to it.
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Collar
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Lift collar and sweep from rear center to front
(left or right side) searching one side at a time
ensuring that nothing has been sewn into the
collar.
Wherever your hands go your eyes go.
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Arm
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Standing behind the person have them raise their arms
at shoulder level with palms facing up and maintaining
positive control of the individual at all times with one
hand.
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Starting at the neck, sweep out to the armpit area, once
at the armpit area form a circle shape with your hand
around the arm and sweep out to the fingertips ensuring
nothing is taped to the body.
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Arm (cont)
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What you did to the right arm you will do to the
left. At the end of the sleeve you may notice a
watch, make sure that it is working. If watch
does not work ask why and try to determine if it
is some kind of device.
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While at the wrist you notice that the hand is
closed. It could be cold or person might be trying
to hide something. With hand facing up, have the
person slowly open it.
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Arm (cont)
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If you find something:
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Immediately go to Yellow or Red based on
your observation. At the same time, the
Security can be at heightened alert or if at
Red points their weapons at the person but
doesn’t put his finger on the trigger or take
the weapon off safe.
Repeat process for both arms.
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Chest
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You can choose one of two methods:
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One hand method
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Have the person extend their arms out to shoulder level.
Standing behind the person, start at the shoulder with
one hand, sweep down under the armpit and down to
the waist. Continue all the way across the chest in an
overlapping pattern, once half way change side. What
you do to one side do the same to the other. Always
maintaining positive control with the other hand.
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Chest (Cont)
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You can choose one of two methods:
Two hand method
Stand behind the person and have them
raise both arms to shoulder level. Starting
at both shoulders, sweep down under the
armpits and down to the waist. Continue
all the way across the chest until the
fingertips of both hands touch.
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Waist
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As a Searcher it is important not to expose more than 1
to 2 inches of flesh when lifting the shirt.
Once they lift their shirt do a quick visual around the
waist to ensure they have no weapons. Then insert two
fingers into the waistband of the pants. Using a
sweeping and shaking motion, feel for anything that
might be sewn into the waistline and at the same time
shaking anything loose from the groin area.
Wherever your hands go your eyes go. Look and
listening for anything in the groin or pocket area that
may be a threat.
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Back
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While standing behind the person, inter lock
the thumbs of your hands, palms facing out.
Start at Left or Right shoulder and sweep
down the back to the waist. Continue this
process and ensure to overlap sweeps until
you have search the entire back.
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Legs
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With one knee on the ground start on the right side,
with your hand sweep down from the waist to the
top of the shoes in a 360-degree manner checking
the entire leg.
If you see or come in contact with something in the
pockets, stop and sound off with Yellow or Red.
Anyone can call Red or Yellow however, only the
Searcher can bring the team back to Green.
On Yellow you will remain behind the person so you
can have positive control if needed.
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Legs (cont)
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If something is found, instruct the person to remove the
item from his pocket slowly. You will mirror his hand
with your hand over his as it goes into his pocket.
As the person removes his hand, keep it close to their
body. Within the first few seconds you want to be able
to identify the object.
If the object is NOT contraband, go Green and continue
the search. Start at the last area you checked to ensure
the pocket is empty.
Repeat the process for the other leg.
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Groin
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Keep in mind that in all cultures the groin is a
private area and you must use a nondemeaning, non-suggestive technique to
conduct the search.
Using the backside of your hands in this area
will greatly reduce non- appropriate contact.
The best way to remember this is right hand
left thigh and left hand right thigh.
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Groin (cont)
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Have the person place feet more than shoulder
width apart and toes pointed outward. Reach
between the legs above the groin area checking to
make sure that nothing is taped to the body. With
the hand forming a knife-edge while touching the
inner thigh, sweep through the groin area and up
through the buttocks.
What you did to one side do the same to the other.
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Foot
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With two fingers, sweep the top inside of the shoe, if too
tight have the person loosen or remove. Have the person
wiggle their toes while you ensure shoe is not too big.
If the shoe is too big, have them remove it. Have them
check it and then you check it. Check entire shoe while it is
off. If they don’t need to remove their shoes, have the
person lift up their heel, checking to make sure it isn’t a
false heel. It is very easy to hide items in a hollowed out
heel.
Repeat process for other foot.
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Summary
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Organization of the Search Team
Conduct Contact Search
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Knowledge Check
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How many members are there in a
search team?
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Knowledge Check
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How many members are there in a
search team?
4
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Knowledge Check
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Can a male search a female?
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Knowledge Check
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Can a male search a female?
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No, unless exigent circumstances
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Knowledge Check
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Do you do a “pat down” search?
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Knowledge Check
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Do you do a “pat down” search?
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No. You use a “rub down” or
“massaging” method
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Knowledge Check
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How many members are there in a search team?
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Can a male search a female?
No, unless exigent circumstances
Do you do a “pat down” search?
No. You use a “rub down” or “massaging”
method
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Conclusion
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A Search Team can only be as strong as its
weakest link. If the individual is motivated,
and uses teamwork and the Search Team
maintains a high state of readiness and
training, this will produce an effective unit.
The training you learned here today will be
the basis for future operations in your
upcoming assignment.
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