Explain the process of identifying a missing person during a SAR operation.

The process of identifying a missing person during a Search and Rescue (SAR) operation involves several critical steps to ensure accuracy and safety. Collecting evidence, confirming personal details, and utilizing external databases serves as a comprehensive approach to positively identifying the individual.

Evidence collection may include examining personal belongings found at the scene, such as clothing, identification cards, or any items that can provide clues about the person's identity. Confirming personal details requires cross-referencing data such as age, physical description, and other identifiable traits provided by family members or acquaintances. This ensures that the identification of the individual is reliable and not based solely on assumption or incomplete information.

Moreover, utilizing external databases, such as missing persons reports, helps SAR teams gather vital information that may link them to other agencies, enhancing the chances of a successful identification. This comprehensive methodology is vital considering the potential complexities involved in missing person cases, where visual identification alone may not suffice, and simply discussing the case or recording GPS coordinates would lack the necessary depth required for an accurate identification.