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5-87. A search is the deliberate examination of a person, place, area or object using Soldiers, animal or technological sensors to discover something or someone. Examples include searches of enemy or detained personnel, military objective areas, personnel or vehicles at a checkpoint, and lines of communication.

5-88. A search is conducted under a wide variety of situations and for a wide variety of purposes. Typically, a person is searched in order to find something that is concealed. A place, area, or object, such as a car or desk, is searched for something that may or may not be concealed. For more on vehicle searches, see Chapter 7. Communication objects, such as letters, books, computers, cell phones, and other media and signaling tools, are searched to discover information.

5-89. During a counterinsurgency, the rules of engagement and various agreements between the Host Nation and US counterinsurgent forces often describe search situations, and may limit search methods. 5-90. During a search, it is important to keep the local population informed, as much as tactically possible, that search contributes to their safety and security. This communication should begin during the actual search, if possible, but is often accomplished after the search by follow-up patrols. Follow-up patrols can not only aid in mitigating some of the negative aspects of the search but also see if missed individuals have returned to the searched area. Follow up patrols which include civil affairs teams or tactical PSYOP teams provide a great capability to conduct consequence management, assisting in the achievement of information engagement, often through reinforcing themes, and collecting information for development into intelligence.

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5-91. A search can orient on people, materiel, buildings, or terrain (FM 3-21.8) Key basic considerations for conducting a search in various includes searching individuals, tactical site exploitation, aerial searches, searching subterranean areas, searching individuals, detention of individuals, tactical questioning and detainee processing.

Individuals

5-92. Any individual can be an insurgent, auxiliary, or member of the mass base. However, searchers must avoid mistaking all suspects for the enemy. Because there may be little or no Host Nation personnel identification procedures, identifying the correct person as an insurgent may be very difficult. It is during the initial handling of individuals about to be searched that the greatest caution is required. During the search, one member of a search team always covers the other member who makes the actual search. When females have to be searched, every precaution is made to prevent violating local customs and mores. If female searchers cannot be provided, consider using the medic to search female suspects.

Teams

5-93. Soldiers conduct individual searches in search teams that consist of the following: Searcher

5-94. Actually conducts the search. This is the highest-risk position. Security

5-95. Maintains eye contact with the person being searched. Observer

5-96. Supervises search and warns of suspicious behavior or actions.

Methods

5-97. The most common search methods used to search an individual are frisk and wall searches. A third, less common method, used in very select situations, is the strip search.

Frisk Search

5-98. Quick and adequate to detect weapons, evidence, or contraband. A frisk search is more dangerous because the searcher has less control of the individual being searched.

Wall Search

5-99. Affords more safety for the searcher by leaning the suspect against any upright surface, such as a wall, vehicle, tree, or fence. The search team places the subject in the kneeling or prone position if more control is needed to search an uncooperative individual.

Strip Search

5-100. Considered only when the individual is suspected of carrying documents or other contraband on his or her person. This extreme search method should be conducted in an enclosed area and by qualified personnel when available.

Search with Sensors

5-101. Metal detectors or thermals can identify hidden items.

Population Control

5-102. Three basic methods are used to control the population during a search of an urban area: assembly of inhabitants in a central location, restriction of inhabitants to their homes, and control of the heads of the households.

Assemble Inhabitants in a Central Location

5-103. This method moves inhabitants from their homes to a central area. It provides the most control, simplifies a thorough search, denies insurgents an opportunity to conceal evidence, and allows for tactical questioning. However, this method has the disadvantage of taking the inhabitants away from their dwellings and possibly encouraging looting, which, in turn, engenders ill feelings. A specific element must be identified to control the centralized inhabitants. A TPT, using a loudspeaker, can facilitate assembly by giving specific instructions to the inhabitants of the search area.

Restrict Inhabitants to their Home

5-104. This technique prohibits movement of civilians, allows them to stay in their dwellings, and discourages looting. The use of a TPT to broadcast “stay-indoors” messages facilitates clearing the streets of civilians and aids in restricting their movement. The security element must enforce this restriction to ensure compliance. The disadvantages of this method are it makes control and tactical questioning difficult, and gives inhabitants time to conceal contraband in their homes.

Control Heads of Households

5-105. The head of each household is told to remain in front of the house while everyone else in the house is brought to one room. The security element controls the group at the central location, controls the head of each household, and provides external security for the search team. When dealing with the head of a household, it is important to explain the purpose of the search using an interpreter. During the search, the head of the household accompanies the search team through the house. This person can be used to open doors and containers to facilitate the search. It is important for the head of the household to see that the search team steals nothing.

Houses or Buildings

5-106. The object of a house search is to look for contraband and to screen residents to determine if any are guerrillas, auxiliaries, members of the underground or the mass base. A search party assigned to search an occupied building should consist of at least one local police officer, a protective escort for local security, and a female searcher. If inhabitants remain in the dwellings, the protective escort must isolate and secure the inhabitants during the search. Forced entry may be necessary if a house is vacant or if an occupant refuses to allow searchers to enter. If the force searches a house containing property while its

occupants are away, it should secure the house to prevent looting. Before US forces depart, the commander should arrange for the community to protect such houses until the occupants return.

5-107. Try to leave the house in the same or better condition than when the search began. In addition to information collection, the search team may use digital cameras or video recorders to establish the condition of the house before and after the search. All sensitive material or equipment found in the house should be documented before it is removed, to include date, time, location, the person from whom it was confiscated, and the reason for the confiscation. The use of a digital camera can assist in this procedure. For a detailed search, the walls and floors must be searched to discover hidden caches.