Environmental Tradecraft: Tracking Assets Through Botanical Signatures

About this episode

This episode explores the use of palynology in covert operations for tracking movement across borders.

In the world of covert ops, "Leaving No Trace" is the ultimate goal—but the environment is a persistent snitch. This episode explores the tradecraft of Palynology (the study of pollen) as a tool for tracking movement across international borders. We discuss how a specific microscopic spore on a shoe can reveal exactly where an operative has been, even if they’ve burned their passport. From the "Yellow Rain" mysteries of the Cold War to modern-day geolocation via plant DNA, we reveal why the "Greenery" is the ultimate counter-surveillance tool.

Topics covered

• covert operations
• palynology
• tracking movement
• counter-surveillance
• geolocation
• environmental tradecraft

Keywords

• pollen
• tracking assets
• international borders
• microscopic spores
• plant DNA
• counter-surveillance
• covert ops

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Circle Of Insight Productions

Places: Cold War

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