[mattifikation]

I'm still not completely clear about whether we're talking about identifying full blown zombies, or still-living people who have been infected.

Does anyone know if the infrared scope would show organ activity (or lack of?)

As for infected but still living people, I think quarantine would be the only surefire way. Even blood tests wouldn't turn up positive if a person had just recently caught the virus.

[Darkness]

mattifikation said:

I'm still not completely clear about whether we're talking about identifying full blown zombies, or still-living people who have been infected.

"Actually I was thinking both. But the earlier they can be identified the safer we will be."

mattifikation said:

Does anyone know if the infrared scope would show organ activity (or lack of?)

As for infected but still living people, I think quarantine would be the only surefire way. Even blood tests wouldn't turn up positive if a person had just recently caught the virus.

"Maybe not infrared, but X-Rays came to mind when you posted that."

[Subgenius]

I have to agree with mattifikation about that quarantine idea for any and all new survivor arrivals to the group of survivors. I mean, it's the least technological of any of the solutions. It seems like the cheapest, fastest solution.

[Darkness]

Subgenius said:

I have to agree with mattifikation about that quarantine idea for any and all new survivor arrivals to the group of survivors. I mean, it's the least technological of any of the solutions. It seems like the cheapest, fastest solution.

"What do you do if you're on the move, and don't have the time, or place, to set up a quarantine?"

[mattifikation]

Then hey, you made it that far without them. Let 'em follow their own path. In situation Z, everyone is a liability until they prove themselves.

[Subgenius]

Darkness said:

"What do you do if you're on the move, and don't have the time, or place, to set up a quarantine?"

That complicates things. It's like CJ, in Dawn of the Dead (2004), had said when he did not want to be a baby-sitter, "F-----g nursery school." And, he said, "I'll kill all of you to stay alive." So we could follow his lead on this and cut people loose. Actually, CJ never actually did anything that he said that he would do to survive. He totally became the baby-sitter. He totally did NOT kill everybody else to survive. Instead, he ended up sacrificing his own life so that the others could escape! Damn, now I'm confused, LOL.

[Darkness]

"Theory Update: More data has come in and is presently being compiled. Will have an answer soon." :)

[Kokothewise]

Another thing to watch for is the demeanor of the person themselves. By this point I would assume every person that has survived would have seen someone get bit and change. They would put two and two together and the basic idea everyone would have is that if you get bit you change. So the second I was within talking range of a group I would just ask them in as friendly a tone as I could muster given the circumstances, "How are you guys doing." Not only does it give for a friendly opening, lessening the chances of a shoot-out or other hostilities, it forces them to speak, making it easier to spot the one in the back looking away and pulling their coat or arms tight around them. That's the one hiding a bite, they know it and they don't want you or anyone else to know it.

[Bob]

If there is not time for a quarantine then a close physical examination would be required. There could be wounds ragged enough to be difficult to tell from a bite but with the infection that is going to be running rampant they would not have much of a chance anyway.

I'm not sure how effective a verbal discourse is going to be in determining who might have been bitten, it will be a tool though. Just like the ones to determined to join you could be the ones who had been very recently bitten and want you to like them so you will take care of them.

[Dave Of The Dead]

How would I spot a zombie in an everyday ZPAW situation? I would stay at a safe distance and shine a flashlight or laser in the eyes of the person, whether it be a zombie or survivor, their reactions will tell you which one.

[mrlaughingman]

well if i picked up survivors and we were not traveling i would set up rooms to place each one in and monitor them to see if any change after a period of time if they havent changed i release them. how ever if were were on the move i split everyone into smaller groups say we found 4 surivors and we previously had a group of 8 split the group of 8 into 2 teams of four and have 2 of the surviors to each group. have the survivors walk ahead of them if they chane into zeds pop em in the head if not regroup after a period of time.

[mattifikation]

http://www.economist...ory_id=12001831

Just reading that might generate some interesting theories.

[Simply Pimpalicious]

Hey all, sorry to dig up an old thread but I was talking to a friend a while back who happens to work with the deceased. I'm honestly not sure if he's a medical examiner, coroner, or what, but either way he could probably answer some questions about any actual physical changes a body goes through after it dies.

I sent him a link to this thread but I don't know if he'll actually register and post. If not, and anyone has any specific questions, post or PM them to me and I'll do my best to pass them along and reply with any answers.

[Krazymouse]

I'm probably gonna be inside my fort, which will have a jail cell. All found survivors are subject to be inside the cell for 24 hours. Then they are allowed to do whatever.

[the_velociraptor]

Early on in the outbreak, clothing, for sure. If we're doing a Romero-style outbreak, then gait, as well. Faster zombies may be a bit hard to ID, but depends on their actions (from what I've seen, they usually stumble about mindlessly - survivors would be actively seeking out something).

Survivors usually have weapons, too.

[kiltedninja]

I'd look at demeanor, someone who knows they're in danger will act differently than someone who is oblivious to the danger. In the beginning it would be different, but as time carries on, and everyone sees someone succumb, people will begin to see just what happens when they're bitten.

Another thing would be clothes, people with torn or raggedy clothes are more likely to have a bite, blood stains would also attract curiousity. People who are overly protective of certain members of their group should be detained until said person can be examined.

Now detainment is another issue, handcuffs are a fairly common thing, another thing that could be used is zipties, but only the extra long ones. Rope is fairly easy to escape from, but can still be used if tied properly. Keeping watch of that person would also be a good idea.

If it was me, I'd first politely introduce myself, and explain that in order to join up with us, each person must be subject to a thorough search. If they disagreed, I'd leave. If they disagreed with hostility, I'd persuade them to see things my way.

[DeAdLY SiNZz]

I'd use a few dogs and train them to sniff them out like in whatever movie that was they did it in. i'd have a walk through point to check for bites and any other possible symptons then they would move on to another area and stay there for an hour before going back to thier home or where they are living in the community