Which of the following is NOT a passive search approach?

The reasoning behind selecting searching with drones as the correct answer lies in understanding the concepts of active and passive search approaches. Passive search methods typically involve strategies that do not require direct action or movement to locate a lost individual, whereas active approaches involve direct engagement and operations.

Searching with drones represents an active search methodology because it involves deploying technology to actively scan and monitor an area from above. Drones can cover large expanses of terrain quickly, gather real-time data, and facilitate visual searches, making them an integral part of an active search operation. The use of drones requires movement, coordination, and interaction with the environment to achieve the search objectives, which clearly aligns with the characteristics of active search efforts.

In contrast, fact-finding or investigation, attraction, and containment or confinement are considered passive search strategies. They rely on indirect methods, such as gathering information from local communities, raising awareness to draw attention (such as through sound or activities to attract the lost individual), or limiting the area where searchers can operate to focus efforts more effectively. These methods do not involve immediate active searching or direct technological applications like drones do, which solidifies why searching with drones is categorized as an active approach rather than a passive one.