Point Last Seen (PLS) refers to which of the following?

Point Last Seen (PLS) is defined as the last location where a search subject was visually identified. This is a critical piece of information in search and rescue operations. Knowing the PLS allows search teams to target their efforts more effectively, as it is based on an actual sighting of the subject rather than a theoretical or assumed location.

In search operations, the accuracy of the PLS can significantly influence the success of the mission. By focusing search efforts around this point, teams can systematically expand their search area based on the subject's potential movement patterns from that last known visual sighting.

The other options describe different concepts in search and rescue operations, but they do not accurately define the PLS. For instance, while the last point where search teams were deployed may be relevant for coordinating efforts, it does not provide concrete information about the subject's last known location. Similarly, the term for the last verified spot known by searchers encompasses broader knowledge but lacks the specificity of where the subject was last seen. Lastly, a theoretical location involves assumptions or projections that may not be grounded in documented observation, thus diverging from the factual basis that defines PLS.