MTSU’s FIRE cosponsors ‘visual man tracking’ course at state park

BURNS, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University’s Forensic Institute for Research and Education, or FIRE, cosponsored a “Visual Man Tracking” course in collaboration with the Mountain Trackers Association in mid-April at Montgomery Bell State Park in Dickson County.

Modern visual man-tracking is modeled on the techniques employed by Native Americans and early American pioneers, who relied on it for their survival. It involves learning the art of visually tracking a person through mountainous terrain.

Basic trackers learning night tracking techniques during a “Visual Man Tracking” course cosponsored by Middle Tennessee State University’s Forensic Institute for Research and Education, or FIRE, in collaboration with the Mountain Trackers Association in mid-April at Montgomery Bell State Park. (Photo courtesy of MTSU’s Forensic Institute for Research and Education)

Organizers say the course covered basic and advanced levels of visual tracking and included a night exercise. In the past, certified man trackers have assisted in locating escaped prisoners as well as lost children and elderly persons with mental diminishment who have wandered away from their care facilities.

MTSU forensic science major Taal Saah completed the basic man tracking course as part of a “Visual Man Tracking” course cosponsored by Middle Tennessee State University’s Forensic Institute for Research and Education, or FIRE, in collaboration with the Mountain Trackers Association in mid-April at Montgomery Bell State Park. Saah is now eligible for advanced training. (Photo courtesy of MTSU’s Forensic Institute for Research and Education) — **MTSU forensic science major Taal Saah completed the basic man tracking course and is now eligible for advanced training. (Photo courtesy of MTSU’s Forensic Institute for Research and Education)**

Participants of this spring’s training consisted of law enforcement officers, park rangers, wildlife resource agents, first responders, and corrections officers from around the state and beyond, according to FIRE.

The class also included a Murfreesboro police office, an MTSU police officer, and an MTSU forensic science student. FIRE will cosponsor another class in the late summer or early fall.

About FIRE

Founded in 2006 by nationally known and respected forensic anthropologist, Hugh Berryman, FIRE augments MTSU’s Forensic Science, Anthropology and Criminal Justice programs by providing integrative opportunities for students in different fields to engage in common projects. One way this is done is through sponsorship of the Forensic Anthropology Search and Recovery Team, which involves students in real-world forensic recoveries at the request of local and state law enforcement agencies.

Other FIRE activities include a speaker series that brings internationally known forensic scientists and legal scholars to campus for the benefit of the public and the MTSU community. FIRE also hosts its annual summer camp CSI:MTSU that makes forensic science accessible to high school students.