Service: Human Scent Evidence Detection K-9s

These bloodhounds are trained according to SWGDOG (Scientific Working Group on Dog and Orthogonal Detector Guidelines) standards in the following disciplines:

Location Checks

Ability to identify the presence or absence of the scent of a specific person to the exclusion of all other scents at a given location. The canine is used to scent match a “pre-scented” object to the scents present at the check site. This technique may be used for subject exclusion or inclusion scent checks. 

Scent Identification Lineups

Ability of canines to examine human scent traces, in a comparative manner, in order to confirm the presence or absence of a match between objects or scent samples. These lineups can assist investigators in identifying or eliminating suspects in cases where human scent has been collected as evidence. 

Pre-Scented Canine Aged Trail

Ability to follow aged trails of a specific person’s scent over different surface types. Prior to the start of the search, the canine is “scented” on an object containing the target’s scent. The canine works from an article to either a person or a location associated with that person while discriminating from all non-matching scent trails. Used for search&rescue and forensic investigative functions.

Track/Trail People Based on Last Known Position

Ability to follow a specific person’s track or trail after the canine has been started on the person’s last known position or a scented article. Canine will follow the trail to the exclusion of all other trails, leading to a specific person, location, and/or article associated with that person. A secondary goal of this task may be to locate articles left by this specific person along the track or trail. 

For more information on SWGDOG guidelines and the certification process, please visit ​their website at http://swgdog.fiu.edu/