Coverage Factor is best defined as

• A. Time on search
• B. Resource usage
• C. Thoroughness, or how well an area was searched
• D. Probability of detection

Answer: (C)

Coverage factor is about how completely the search area has been examined—the thoroughness of the search. It reflects how well the area was searched, including systematic lane spacing, proper overlap, and any re-searches to close gaps. Even when a lot of time is spent on the search, poor planning or uneven coverage can leave parts unchecked, lowering the coverage factor. So, the best fit is the idea of thoroughness: how well and how completely the area was covered. Time on search just measures duration, resource usage tracks materials and personnel consumed, and probability of detection is the chance of finding a target given the effort, which depends on coverage but is not the coverage measure itself.