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

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$99.95
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ISBN 9780849318863
Cat# 1886
 

Features

  • Covers training, handling and utilization of dogs trained to find human decomposition scent
  • Analyzes environmental conditions where dogs are used in search and recovery, including surface, buried, and underwater sites
  • Explains principles of forensic science in relation to dog usage
  • Discusses dog and handler as part of the forensic search team
  • Includes legal and professional issues
  • Summary

    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.

    Table of Contents


    Introduction
    Definition of Cadaver Dogs
    A Brief History of Cadaver Dogs
    Purpose of This Book
    Overview of Book Topics and Organization
    Dog Basics
    The Working Dog
    Dog Noses and Dog Brains
    Scent Theory and Canine Olfaction
    Scent and the Environment
    Temperature
    Wind
    Barriers to Scent Conduction
    Conduit of Scent Conduction
    Limits of Cadaver Dogs and Scent Detection
    Training the Cadaver Dog
    Selection of a Dog to Train
    Handler Skills Needed
    When and How to Begin
    Training Basics:
    How to Talk to Your Dog
    Training Without Punishment
    Reading the Dog
    Training Progression
    Phase I-Scent Recognition and commitment to the
    target odor
    Phase II-Small Area Search With the Source Hidden
    From the Dog
    Phase III-Small Area Search for a Buried Source
    Phase IV-Small Area Search for a Hanging Object
    Phase V-Large Area Search for an Above-Surface
    Source
    Phase VI-Large Area Search for a Buried Source
    Phase VII-Negative Area Search
    Phase VIII-Blind Area Search
    Phase IX-Test
    Training Scenarios
    Ongoing Training Regime
    Frequently Asked Questions
    Training Materials
    Use and Handling of Training Aids
    Natural Scent
    Artificial Scent
    Simulating the Scene and Creating Hides
    Professional Issues
    Standardization and Certification
    Ethics and Professional Conduct
    Levels of Certainty and Conclusions Reached
    Record Keeping
    Evaluating the Qualifications of an Unknown Dog
    Handler Team
    Testifying in Court
    Legal Issues
    Search and Seizure
    Rules of Evidence
    Law and the Evidence Canine
    Handling a Search Request
    Evaluating the Feasibility of the Search
    Evaluating the Appropriateness of Using a Particular Handler or Canine
    Scheduling a Search: Season, Time Weather
    Promises and Deliverables
    When to Say No
    Planning the Search
    The Search
    Types of Searches
    Forensic Contexts
    Physical Contexts: Land, Water, etc.
    Use of Remote Sensing
    Use of Technical Location and Mapping Aids
    Who is in Charge
    Functioning as Part of a Team
    Evidence Discovery
    Evidence Documentation
    Evidence Recovery
    Conclusions: When and How to Communicate Them
    Behind the Scenes: Taphonomy
    Postmortem Processes
    Decomposition and Skeletonization
    Disarticulation
    Scavenger Modification
    Search Strategies for Disarticulated Remains
    Working With the Anthropologist
    At the Scene
    Acclimating the Dog to the Scene
    Motivating the Dog
    Assessing the Scene: Search Patterns
    Refining Search Strategy
    Periodic Reinforcement
    On-Site Guidelines
    Documenting the Search
    Land Searches
    Search Planning
    Conducting the Search
    Special Search Situations
    Spot Searches
    Hasty, Non-Thorough Searches
    Roadsides
    Landfill
    Swamp
    Wilderness and Forest Strategies
    Disarticulated Remains
    Dismembered Remains
    Water Searches (Marcia Koenig)
    Handler Strategies
    Type of Drowning-Dry or Wet
    Decomposition Process
    Selection of Boats
    Working a Search Area
    Response Time
    General Suggestions
    Suggestions for Working Rivers
    Suggestions for Working Lakes
    Water Conditions
    Conclusion
    Bibliography
    Index
    List of Figures and Tables
    Glossary
    Appendix A: Resources
    Training Aids and Equipment
    Continuing Education Opportunities
    Professional Organizations
    Appendix B: Document Examples
    Search Report Example A
    Search Report Example B
    Handler Resume Example A
    Handler Resume Example B
    Canine Resume Example
    Training Record Example A
    Training Record Example B
    Proficiency Test Example


    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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