Centripetal Spiral
Definition
Spiral that starts at the perimeter and moves inward toward the focus. Preferred when perimeter evidence is at risk from weather or bystanders.
- Direction
- Perimeter inward
- Typical start point
- Outer scene boundary
- Best suited for
- Perimeter evidence at risk from weather or bystanders
- Search family
- Spiral search pattern
- Contrast pattern
- Centrifugal spiral
Common questions
Why is perimeter evidence often more at risk than central evidence?+
The scene perimeter is closer to public access, weather exposure and foot traffic from responders and bystanders, so evidence there can be lost or degraded faster than evidence near a protected central focus like a body.
Does the direction of a spiral search change what evidence is found?+
Not what is found, only the order and urgency with which it is documented and collected. Both spiral directions cover the same ground; the choice is about prioritising which evidence is protected soonest.
Related terms
- Centrifugal Spiral
- Spiral that starts at the centre of the scene (usually the body) and moves outward. Preferred when the central evidence is fragile...
- Search Pattern
- The systematic geometric route walked by a dog handler to ensure uniform coverage of the search area. Standard patterns include the ladder...
- Wedge Problem
- Inherent flaw of wheel search: as spokes radiate outward, the unsearched gap between adjacent spokes widens with distance from the centre.
- Zone Overlap
- An explicit protocol requirement that adjacent zones share their boundaries so evidence on the line isn't missed by both teams.