Warren, Pa. (WBEN) - As the search for Michael Burham enters its sixth day across the vast southern tier, law enforcers say they are using extensive technology in efforts to track the escapee from Warren County Jail in Pennsylvania.
During Tuesday's briefing, Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens says DNA technology is being used to determine if Burham was at a certain location, particularly reported break-ins. "One of the things we have done is when we have a sighting, we will do something like Rapid DNA technology to exclude or include Burham," says Bivens.
Law enforcement expert Jeff Rinaldo of Vista Security tells WBEN police are utilizing helicopters, drones and cell phone technology in the search. He says modern drones, in particular, are extremely effective. "Drones have really increased the reach for any type of search based operation," says Rinaldo. "It allows for an operator to cover a vast amount of area relatively quickly. The technology for the drones and the type of cameras and thermal imaging that can be carried are really effective when you're searching remote areas where you cannot expect to see densely populated sections of woodland."
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Rinaldo says there is a challenge in cell phone tracking and drones in heavily wooded areas. "Again, with some of the advances with the thermal imaging, the canopy provided by the trees can be penetrated, depending on the type of cameras being used. Same thing with some of the thermal imaging FLIR cameras that are on helicopters," notes Rinaldo.
From there, Rinaldo says, it's up to the men and women on the ground to physically search those areas and verify whether it's Burham possibly being detected.
Burham escaped from Warren County Jail last Thursday.