sonar Search Services

If you need sonar search services, law enforcement training, or consultation email 

CONTACT US:  info@unitedsearchcorps.org. 

Understanding Sonar and Its Vital Role in Missing Person Searches

At United Search Corps (USC), our mission is to bring closure to families by finding missing persons. One of the most crucial tools in our arsenal is sonar technology, which allows us to perform expert underwater searches in both cold cases and active searches.

What is Sonar?

Sonar, which stands for Sound Navigation and Ranging, is a technique that uses sound waves to detect objects underwater. By sending out sound pulses and listening for the echoes that bounce back from objects, sonar systems can create detailed images of the underwater environment. This technology is invaluable for locating vehicles, objects, and, tragically, sometimes human remains in bodies of water.

How We Use Sonar in Our Searches

At USC, we deploy advanced sonar equipment in various ways to aid our search efforts:

1. Side-Scan Sonar:

Application: Side-scan sonar is towed behind our boats and sends out fan-shaped pulses to scan large areas of the underwater terrain. Benefit: It provides a detailed, bird’s-eye view of the seafloor, which helps us identify anomalies or objects that could be of interest in our search.

2. Multi-Beam Sonar:

Application: This sonar type emits multiple beams simultaneously, covering a wide swath with each pass.

Benefit: Multi-beam sonar offers high-resolution images, allowing us to pinpoint objects with greater accuracy.

3. Sub-Bottom Profilers:

Application: These are used to look beneath the floor surface, useful in detecting objects buried under sediment.

Benefit: They help us ensure thorough searches in areas where sediment cover might obscure important clues.

Sonar in Cold Case Searches

For cold cases, sonar technology is indispensable. Often, vehicles or other evidence related to long-term missing person cases are submerged underwater for years, making them challenging to locate. Sonar allows us to survey lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water efficiently and thoroughly, increasing the chances of finding critical evidence that can solve these cases.

Sonar in Active Searches

In active search scenarios, time is of the essence. Sonar technology enables us to quickly scan and assess large underwater areas, significantly speeding up the search process. By rapidly identifying and investigating underwater objects, we can direct divers or remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to investigate further, ensuring no stone is left unturned.

Our Expertise

USC prides itself on having a network of highly trained sonar operators, contractors and search specialists. Our experts are skilled in interpreting sonar data and using it to guide search efforts effectively. We continually invest in the latest sonar technology to stay at the forefront of technology & search and recovery operations. 

Training and Consultation for Law Enforcement

In addition to our frontline search and recovery operations, United Search Corps (USC) provides expert training and consultation services for law enforcement agencies. Our specialized programs are designed to equip investigators with the knowledge and operational skills necessary to effectively utilize sonar technology in active and cold case investigations. USC also offers direct consultation to assist agencies in planning, executing, and refining sonar-based search strategies, ensuring mission success through advanced tools and proven field expertise.

If you need sonar search services, law enforcement training, or consultation, or if you want to support our mission, email info@unitedsearchcorps.org.