Description of Search Area.
The particular search area used for all the experiments was rectangular in shape, two miles long by three miles wide. It was selected because it represented desert terrain typical of the Tucson area. It was essentially flat (see contour map, figure 1) with a number of dry washes running through it. The vegetation was a mixture of Palo Verde, Mesquite, Saguaro, Prickly Pear, Cholla, and Creosote. The density of the vegetation varied from sparse to heavy (see figures 2, 3, 4, 6, 7). The area was devoid of buildings and mines, but contained typical features such as cattle ponds, unpaved roads, trails, fences, and power lines.

From the point of view of the management of the experiment the search area was attractive for two other reasons. First, it contained sufficient 4WD trails to allow the deployment of the victims with relative ease. Second, it was in a sufficiently remote area that only people associated with the experiment were likely to be present during an experiment.