Trail blocks are categorized as what type of search tactic?

Trail blocks are categorized as an indirect search tactic because they involve tracking and analyzing signs of a missing person or group, rather than directly engaging with the search area on foot or in a traditional manner. This tactic typically includes actions such as observing disturbances in the environment, following footprints, or examining areas that show signs of passage, all of which help to establish a likelihood of where the subject may have traveled.

Indirect tactics like trail blocks are particularly useful when there is limited visibility or difficult terrain, allowing searchers to collect valuable information about the subject's potential movements without immediately confronting potential hazards or the challenges of the environment. This approach also allows searchers to gather data from a broader area and make more informed decisions about how to proceed with the search.

In contrast to tactics such as direct, hasty, or strategic, which may involve a more immediate or planned approach, trail blocks focus on the clues left behind to guide search efforts.