Frequently Asked Questions

Q - How much is this going to cost my agency?

A - Currently we do not charge for any of our services. The K9 Forensics Recovery Team holds annual fundraisers to cover our travel, equipment and training expenses. We generally earn enough monies through these fundraisers to support our team through the year. However, if at the end of our budget year, we are short on funds we may seek assistance from the agencies requesting a search.

Q - How are forensic search dogs trained?
A – In a structured and progressive five step process. Training is ongoing and sessions become increasingly difficult as the canine and handler team demonstrates the required level of proficiency.

1. Scent Imprinting
2. Scent Commitment
3. Command Introduction
4. Introduction to Trained Alert
5. Scenario Based Training

Q - What is the difference between a human remains detection dog and a search or tracking dog?
A – A search/tracking dog typically has very little experience or training, if any, in finding human remains. Note: Our team’s canines are specifically trained as air scent dogs, but will follow the track of a body being dragged to its final destination.

Q - What is the difference between an "air scent" dog and a "tracking" dog?
A - An air scent canine searches for scent carried on the wind. The dog is trained to follow airborne scent to the strongest point and alert. A tracking dog is a canine with the specific ability and training to track and locate a specific human on the basis of an in individual scent.

Q - What is the difference between “live” scent (living person) and “dead” scent (deceased person)?
A – While alive, all human beings possess a very specific scent associated with that individual person. “Dead scent,” however, is chemically generic and not specific to one individual.

Q -  How are your K9's selected?

A – We look for puppies/dogs that have a good drive, i.e., retrieve and bring back, enjoy working, etc. We want our dogs to be confident and not dog or people aggressive. We look for a willing and good attitude and no aversion to the human rem ains scent. From that point we begin our training. While a good search dog is not necessarily breed specific, we find that dogs with a working line such as German Shepherds, Labradors, etc. seem to excel in this area.

All dogs that meet the initial criteria then go on to more formal training. They are evaluated by our team trainer to see if they would be a good candidate at that time. If the trainer feels they initially have what is needed, they must all complete basic and avanced obedience, have off leash and hand signal control. After they complete these requirements they are then given the Canine Good Citizen test which shows whether they have a stable temperament in a variety of situations. All dogs must complete these steps before they are even considered for placement on the team.

Scent work is then introduced starting with simple scenarios and increasing to more difficult ones. If the dogs shows drive and a willingness in these phases it will be continued with it's training for approximately six months before an adequate evaluation can be made. Those dogs that lack the iniative or incentive to work on a consistent basis are then dropped from the team. The dogs that continue to do well go on in their training to their Human Remains Detection certification. Training is then continued weekly for the lifetime of the dog while on the team. All dogs are privately owned by their handlers and a strong commitment by both is required.