Zone Overlap
Definition
An explicit protocol requirement that adjacent zones share their boundaries so evidence on the line isn't missed by both teams.
- Applies to
- Zone search method in crime scene searching
- Purpose
- Prevents evidence on a boundary line being missed
- Mechanism
- Adjacent zone boundaries are shared, not abutted edge to edge
Common questions
Why does a boundary line risk being missed without overlap?+
Searchers naturally focus attention toward the centre of their assigned zone, so an item sitting exactly on a shared line can fall outside both searchers' effective sweep unless the zones are drawn to cover that line twice.
How is zone overlap typically documented?+
The search plan or scene log records which zones share a boundary strip and which team is responsible for that strip, so supervisors can confirm the overlap area was actually searched rather than assumed covered.
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...
- Centripetal Spiral
- Spiral that starts at the perimeter and moves inward toward the focus. Preferred when perimeter evidence is at risk from weather or...
- 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.