Cadaver Dog Handbook: Forensic Training and Tactics for the Recovery of Human Remains

by Andrew Rebmann, Edward David

Overview

Intended for those who train and handle cadaver dogs, this book also encompasses information for those who work closely with them, such as police, death investigators, and anthropologists. Its interdisciplinary approach is useful to any member of a forensic team who regularly participates in or evaluates the results of the human remains search effort.
Cadaver Dog Handbook sets out the principles and procedures for the training and handling of dogs for the location of human remains. It explains scent theory and its applications, introduces basic training and searching strategies/tactics, and covers the legal and taphonomic issues associated with dog searches. Intended for those who train and handle cadaver dogs, this book also encompasses information for those who work closely with them, such as police, death investigators, and anthropologists. Its interdisciplinary approach is useful to any member of a forensic team who regularly participates in or evaluates the results of the human remains search effort.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780367778729
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	03/31/2021
Pages:	228
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

About the Author

Andrew Rebmann, Edward David

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction 1

Setting the Stage 1

Definition of Cadaver Dogs 1

A Brief History of Cadaver Dogs 2

Purpose of this Book 2

Overview of Book Topics and Organization 3

Chapter 2 Dog Basics 5

The Working Dog 5

Dog Noses and Dog Brains 7

Scent Cone Theory 11

"Live" Scent Versus "Death" Scent 12

Scent and the Environment 16

Decomposition Odor Forms a Scent Pool 16

Wind Carries Scent Away Forming a Scent Cone 16

Barriers Cause Scent to Form Secondary Scent Pools and Secondary Scent Cones 18

Water Moves Scent Away from the Source 18

Scent Cone Distortion Is Produced by Variable Winds 20

Scent Voids Can Be Produced in Water or on land 21

Limits of Cadaver Dogs and Scent Detection 22

Chapter 3 Training the Cadaver Dog 23

Selection of a Dog to Train 23

Handler Characteristics Needed 23

Overview of Training 23

Training Basics 24

Shaping Behavior 24

A Dog and a Dolphin: Training without Punishment 26

Reading the Dog 33

Training Principles 35

Training Progression 38

General Guidelines for Training and Practice 56

Training Scenarios 57

Ongoing Training Regime 60

Frequently Asked Questions 61

Final Note and Caution 65

Chapter 4 Training Materials 67

Creating and Handling Training Aids 67

Scent Sources 67

Natural Scent: Human Flesh 67

Natural Scent: Human Blood 67

Natural Scent: Soil Samples 68

Natural Scent: Adipocere 68

Artificial Scent: Putrescine (1,4 - Diaminobutane) and Cadaverine (1,5 - Diaminopentane) 69

Artificial Scent: Sigma Pseudo™ Corpse I, Pseudo™ Corpse II, Sigma Pseudo™ Distressed Body 69

Scented Training Aids 69

Storage Containers 70

Training Containers 70

Scent Tube 70

Scented Toys 71

Equipment and Set-up Needed for Imprinting Phase 72

Equipment Needed as Training Progresses 72

Chapter 5 Professional Issues 73

Standardization and Certification 73

Ethics and Professional Conduct 73

Levels of Certainty and Conclusions Reached 73

Record Keeping 75

Training Records 75

Search Reports 76

Resume 77

Evaluating the Qualifications of an Unknown Dog/Handler Team 78

Testifying in Court 78

Qualifying the Dog/Handler Team as an Expert Witness 80

Chapter 6 Legal Issues 83

Introduction 83

Licensure and Vaccination 83

Exercising "Due Care" 84

Negligence 84

Strict Liability 84

Joint and Several Liability 85

Search, Seizure, and Warrants 85

Practical Implications for Canine Searches in General 91

Implications for Cadaver Dog Searches 91

Chapter 7 Handling A Search Request 95

Record Keeping Regarding Requests 95

Evaluating the Feasibility of the Search 95

Evaluating the Appropriateness of Using a Particular Handler or Canine 96

Scheduling a Search: Season, Time, Weather 96

Promises and Deliverables 97

When to Say No 97

Chapter 8 The Search 99

Introduction 99

Types of Canine Cadaver Searches 100

Recovery Expansion Search 100

Focused Speculative Search 101

Non-Focused Speculative Search 102

Forensic Contexts 103

Unpremeditated Homicide 103

Premeditated Homicide 103

Serial Murders 104

Search Parameters 104

Suicide 105

Elderly Persons Suffering from Dementia 105

Physical Contexts 105

Use of Technical Location and Mapping Aids 106

Aids to Location 106

Maps 106

Compasses 107

Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) Receivers 107

Search Applications 110

Establish a Search Baseline and Anchor Point 111

Box the Compass Needle 111

Mark the Baseline 112

Construct the Initial Outside Corridor Line 112

Construct the Backline 113

Define the Corridor Width 113

Begin the Search 113

Document Alerts and Finds 114

Mapping Scattered Remains 114

Use of Remote Sensing and Other Techniques 115

Human Observation 116

Soil Probe 116

Other Methods for Venting Soil 117

Metal Detector 117

Aerial Photography with and without Thermal Imaging 117

Other Techniques 118

The Crime Scene 118

Scene Command 118

Evidence Preservation 118

Chapter 9 Behind the Scenes: Taphonomy 121

Postmortem Processes 121

Decomposition and Skeletonization 121

Disarticulation 124

Scavenger Modification 124

Search Strategies for Disarticulated Remains 126

Working with the Anthropologist 128

Chapter 10 At the Scene 129

Introduction 129

General Steps Involved at the Scene 129

On-site Guidelines 130

Define the Search Area for the Handler(s) 130

Acclimating the Dog 130

Motivating the Dog 130

Periodic Reinforcement 132

Documenting the Search 132

Chapter 11 Land Searches 135

Search Planning 135

Conducting the Search 135

Special Search Situations 137

Spot Searches 137

Hasty Searches 137

Grid Searches 138

Roadsides 139

Landfills 140

Swamps 141

Wilderness and Forest Strategies 141

Hunters: Game Trails and Stands 141

Hikers: Hiking Trails and Natural Hazards 141

Other Lost Subjects: Open Grid and Large Area Search 142

Disarticulated Remains 142

Discovery by Pet Dogs 142

Discovery by Hunters or Hikers 142

Dismembered Bodies 143

Accidental Dismemberment 143

Deliberate Dismemberment 143

Scent Line-ups 144

Procedure for Scent Line-ups 144

Adapting to Special Terrain and Site Circumstances 145

Changes in Elevation 146

Contour Searching 148

Drainage Patterns 148

Wells 150

Difficult to Explain Alerts 150

Chapter 12 Water Searches 151

Training 151

Training Materials 151

Training Steps Using a Scent Capsule 152

Training Using a Scent Pump 153

Training Using a Diver 153

Background Information-Type of Drowning 154

Dry Drowning 154

Wet Drowning 154

Search Strategy Tip 154

Eyewitness 155

Search Example 155

Decomposition Process 155

First Stage 155

Second Stage 155

Third Stage 156

Exceptions 156

Working a Water Search 156

Selection of Boats 156

Boat Types 156

Working a Search Area 157

General Suggestions 157

Suggestions for Working Rivers 157

Upstream against the Wind 160

Upstream with the Wind 160

Downstream against the Wind 160

Downstream with the Wind 160

Suggestions for Working Lakes 160

Water Conditions 161

Recovery 161

"False" Alerts 161

Marker Buoys 161

Clothing and Other Debris 161

Dead, Wet critters 162

Handler Cueing Dog 162

Acknowledgments 162

Bibliography 163

Appendix A Resources 167

Selected Training Aids and Equipment 167

Continuing Education Opportunities 171

Professional Organizations 172

Appendix B Report Examples 173

K-9 Search Report 173

Example of Recovery Expansion Search Report 176

Appendix C Resume Examples 179

Handler Resume

Example A 179

Example B 183

Canine Resume Example 185

Training Record Example 187

Glossary 189

Index 199

Editorial Reviews

"Every investigator should own the Cadaver Dog Handbook... Rebmann, David, and Sorg do a wonderful job of providing a foundation for the understanding of scent evidence and are a welcome addition to the limited research in this field. Handlers and administrators, as well as researchers and legal experts, should review this text and determine its many applications for themselves."
-FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin, November 2001


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From the Publisher

Sets out the principles and procedures for training and handling dogs during the search for human remains, explaining scent theory and its applications, basic training and searching strategies, and the legal and taphonomic (decomposition and fossilization) issues associated with dog searches. Also covers the use of technical location devices, mapping aids, remote sensing techniques, water searches, and decomposition processes: "... if a body decomposes in a wet environment, there will be the production of . This grayish, soapy substance provides a good scent picture to the dog. If the body is left in a hot, dry environment it will , and the odor will be musty." The interdisciplinary approach renders the book useful to anyone interested in human remains. A glossary is included. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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