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As is the case with potential human team members, not all working police canines are well suited for human remains detection. Selection of a canine for HRD involves testing (as required before selection for any detector specialty) of the animal's motivation and demeanor as well as its attraction or aversion to odor of human remains. Once the prospective canine handlers have been chosen, it is necessary to identify suitable canine partners.
#HRD DOG HOW TO#
awareness of basic human anatomy and knowledge of the rate of decomposition of human bodies when subjected to varying disposal methods (i.e.: soil type, temperature, scavenger activity, presence of water) and how to conduct "field craft" (i.e.: assessment of a potential grave site or disposal area based on the knowledge that certain changes in the soil, plant life and insect population indicate the possible presence of human remains) must be demonstrated by HRD canine handlers desiring to be successful in the specialty. The demands placed on the canine handler specializing in human remains detection go beyond dog training and include studies in Forensics. While the exciting prospect of locating an explosive device, a large cache of narcotics or apprehend a fleeing criminal easily attracts most police canine handlers, few have the requisite interest or motivation for dealing with all phases of human decomposition and disarticulation that will be encountered by the HRD team.
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On the other hand, departments that can see their way clear to add an HRD program gain valuable, readily available investigative tool.Ī successful HRD program must begin with motivated personnel who readily accept the fact that they will be working and training under morbid scenarios. The probability that the HRD team from a nearby, larger department may be available to assist with the occasional search is further justification for not adding HRD specialist. Weighing the cost of training, canine purchase and care, as well as the cost of vehicles and equipment with the actual need, it becomes clear that the addition of another narcotics or explosive detection team is more practical. In the final analysis, for many agencies, it is not feasible to have an HRD program. The remaining obstacle generally involves the complexity and type of required canine team training. These departments continue the age old practice of assigning all aspects of death investigations to Crime Scene and Homicide units, without realizing the additional capabilities that a trained HRD canine team would bring to their scenes where a corpse or the remains thereof must be located. For a variety of reasons this canine detector specialty has not been given the attention that is afforded both explosive and narcotics specialties. Thus, their ability to distinguish between sources of similar biological odors enhances their application in the area of Human Remains detection (HRD).Ĭanines that detect human remains, commonly referred to as cadaver dogs, have been minimally represented in the law enforcement canine population across the United States. Trained dogs are able to distinguish between human remains, animal remains, and a wide range of other odors that would normally be expected to distract them. Resourceful canine handlers have found that dogs can be trained to detect human remains long after death, despite burial or attempted concealment. One relatively new area of specialization, that is very promising, involves the use of canines to detect the presence of human remains. In many ways, dogs contribute more to achievement of law enforcement objectives than sophisticated law enforcement technology.ĭespite the long and distinguished history of canines in law enforcement, their capabilities and applications are still emerging. Working a loyal members of teams with their human partners, they have proved to be invaluable in such vital areas as explosive detection, narcotics detection, and searching for criminals as well as lost or missing persons. For centuries now, dogs have had a well established place in law enforcement. The working police canine has become an integral part of law enforcement. Human Remains Detection with Cadaver Dogs The latest Police Canine Detector Specialty