3.5.CORE SKILL 4 – FINGERTIP SEARCH
3.5.1. IED SEARCH AND GROSS METAL CONTAMINATION In an urban area there is likely to be an abundance of metal contamination disguising IED components from handheld detector signals. Sometimes this may even be a deliberate part of the armed group’s tactics. Within buildings and structures there will be instances when handheld detectors will not have the ability to discriminate between individual objects and other ferrous detritus. Fingertip search is a fundamental procedure that may help to overcome this issue when there is not a threat of IED components being buried or concealed by more than a couple of centimetres. When conducting fingertip search the following points should be observed: • Whenever possible the search should be undertaken in the prone position, wearing appropriate PPE, with only one hand extended and the other arm tucked under the torso to protect from blast. • The extended hand is pushed carefully forward in the direction of the search progression through the top surface layer, at a depth determined by conditions and threat, feeling for changes in the micro-environment that indicate an object or abnormal ground variations.
• The search should be systematic and there should be overlap.
• The head and torso should remain in the safe area and the searcher should not reach out at an uncomfortable distance.
Image 1. Fingertip search over a sand-covered hard surface
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