Table Of ContentCADAVER DOG
HANDBOOK
Forensic Training and Tactics for
the Recovery of Human Remains
Andrew Rebmann
Edward David
Marcella H. Sorg
CRC Press
Boca Raton London New York Washington, D.C.
© 2000 By CRC Press LLC
(cid:9)(cid:9)
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Rebmann,Andrew J.
Cadaver dog handbook : forensic training and tactics for the recovery of human remains
/Andrew J . Rebmann, Edward David, Marcella H. Sorg, with Marcia Koenig ;
illustrations and bookdesign, Judith Cooper.
p. cm
Includes bibliographical references and index .
ISBN 0-8493-1886-6 (alk . paper)
1.Police dogs--Training. 2.Forensic anthropology. 1. David, Edward.II.Sorg,
Marcella H 111 . Koenig . Marcia . IV Title .
HV8025 .R43 2000
636.7'0886-dc21 ?00-042900?
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International Standard Book Number0-8493-1886-6
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© 2000 By CRC Press LLC
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We would like to thank the Connecticut State Police for their forward
thinking and openness to the early cadaver search efforts and train-
ing. Since then, dog teams in State Police units, local police, the FBI,
and search and rescue groups have contributed to this developing field.
There have been many students and colleagues who have made our
work possible. We thank them all. We would particularly like to men-
tion Marcia Koenig who not only authored one of the chapters of this
book, but, more importantly, is the business partner and spouse to one
of us (AR).
The training materials that have been incorporated into these pages
evolved over the years with much input. Ideas for some of the illus-
trations came from the work of Bob Koenig.
We are grateful to the Maine State Police Criminal Investigation
Division, State Warden’s Service, and Office of Chief Medical Examiner,
especially Chief Henry F. Ryan, who consistently supported the use of
cadaver dogs in forensic casework. We would also like to acknowl-
edge other Maine handlers and trainers who added their knowledge
and ideas in conversations and practice over the years, including War-
den Specialist Deborah Palman. We thank Retired State Police K-9
Trainer Lloyd Williams who has been a key supporter and an ongoing
source of wisdom.
Finally, and especially, we thank our dogs past and present: Rufus,
Lady, Josie, Marianne, Griz, Orca, Coyote, Shadow, Wraith, and Shadow
Too (in advance).
© 2000 By CRC Press LLC
DEDICATION
To Clem (who didn’t like dead people) and Rufus (who did).
And for Shadow and Marianne (who never got enough).
And for Orca and Coyote.
© 2000 By CRC Press LLC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1
Introduction
Setting the Stage
Definition of Cadaver Dogs
A Brief History of Cadaver Dogs
Purpose of this Book
Overview of Book Topics and Organization
CHAPTER 2
Dog Basics
The Working Dog
Dog Noses and Dog Brains
Scent Cone Theory
"Live" Scent Versus "Death" Scent
Scent and the Environment
Decomposition Odor Forms a Scent Pool
Wind Carries Scent Away Forming a Scent Cone
Barriers Cause Scent to Form Secondary Scent Pools
and Secondary Scent Cones
Water Moves Scent Away from the Source
Scent Cone Distortion Is Produced by Variable Winds
Scent Voids Can Be Produced in Water or on Land
Limits of Cadaver Dogs and Scent Detection
CHAPTER 3
Training the Cadaver Dog
Selection of a Dog to Train
Handler Characteristics Needed
Overview of Training
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Training Basics
Shaping Behavior
A Dog and a Dolphin: Training without Punishment
Reading the Dog
Training Principles
Training Progression
General Guidelines for Training and Practice
Training Scenarios
Ongoing Training Regime
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Note and Caution
CHAPTER 4
Training Materials
Creating and Handling Training Aids
Scent Sources
Natural Scent: Human Flesh
Natural Scent: Human Blood
Natural Scent: Soil Samples
Natural Scent: Adipocere
Artificial Scent: Putrescine (1,4 – Diaminobutane) and
Cadaverine (1,5 – Diaminopentane)
Artificial Scent: Sigma Pseudo™ Corpse I, Pseudo™ Corpse II,
Sigma Pseudo™ Distressed Body
Scented Training Aids
Storage Containers
Training Containers
Scent Tube
Scented Toys
Equipment and Set-up Needed for Imprinting Phase
Equipment Needed as Training Progresses
CHAPTER 5
Professional Issues
Standardization and Certification
Ethics and Professional Conduct
Levels of Certainty and Conclusions Reached
Record Keeping
Training Records
Search Reports
Resume
Evaluating the Qualifications of an Unknown Dog/Handler Team
Testifying in Court
Qualifying the Dog/Handler Team as an Expert Witness
© 2000 By CRC Press LLC
(cid:10)
CHAPTER 6
Legal Issues
Introduction
Licensure and Vaccination
Exercising “Due Care”
Negligence
Strict Liability
Joint and Several Liability
Search, Seizure, and Warrants
Practical Implications for Canine Searches in General
Implications for Cadaver Dog Searches
CHAPTER 7
Handling A Search Request
Record Keeping Regarding Requests
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
CHAPTER 8
The Search
Introduction
Types of Canine Cadaver Searches
Recovery Expansion Search
Focused Speculative Search
Non-Focused Speculative Search
Forensic Contexts
Unpremeditated Homicide
Premeditated Homicide
Serial Murders
Search Parameters
Suicide
Elderly Persons Suffering from Dementia
Physical Contexts
Use of Technical Location and Mapping Aids
Aids to Location
Maps
Compasses
Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) Receivers
Search Applications
Establish a Search Baseline and Anchor Point
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Box the Compass Needle
Mark the Baseline
Construct the Initial Outside Corridor Line
Construct the Backline
Define the Corridor Width
Begin the Search
Document Alerts and Finds
Mapping Scattered Remains
Use of Remote Sensing and Other Techniques
Human Observation
Soil Probe
Other Methods for Venting Soil
Metal Detector
Aerial Photography with and without Thermal Imaging
Other Techniques
The Crime Scene
Scene Command
Evidence Preservation
CHAPTER 9
Behind the Scenes: Taphonomy
Postmortem Processes
Decomposition and Skeletonization
Disarticulation
Scavenger Modification
Search Strategies for Disarticulated Remains
Working with the Anthropologist
CHAPTER 10
At the Scene
Introduction
General Steps Involved at the Scene
On-site Guidelines
Define the Search Area for the Handler(s)
Acclimating the Dog
Motivating the Dog
Periodic Reinforcement
Documenting the Search
CHAPTER 11
Land Searches
Search Planning
Conducting the Search
Special Search Situations
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Spot Searches
Hasty Searches
Grid Searches
Roadsides
Landfills
Swamps
Wilderness and Forest Strategies
Hunters: Game Trails and Stands
Hikers: Hiking Trails and Natural Hazards
Other Lost Subjects: Open Grid and Large Area Search
Disarticulated Remains
Discovery by Pet Dogs
Discovery by Hunters or Hikers
Dismembered Bodies
Accidental Dismemberment
Deliberate Dismemberment
Scent Line-ups
Procedure for Scent Line-ups
Adapting to Special Terrain and Site Circumstances
Changes in Elevation
Contour Searching
Drainage Patterns
Wells
Difficult to Explain Alerts
CHAPTER 12
Water Searches
Training
Training Materials
Training Steps Using a Scent Capsule
Training Using a Scent Pump
Training Using a Diver
Background Information—Type of Drowning
Dry Drowning
Wet Drowning
Search Strategy Tip
Eyewitness
Search Example
Decomposition Process
First Stage
Second Stage
Third Stage
Exceptions
Working a Water Search
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Selection of Boats
Boat Types
Working a Search Area
General Suggestions
Suggestions for Working Rivers
Upstream against the Wind
Upstream with the Wind
Downstream against the Wind
Downstream with the Wind
Suggestions for Working Lakes
Water Conditions
Recovery
“False” Alerts
Marker Buoys
Clothing and Other Debris
Dead, Wet critters
Handler Cueing Dog
Acknowledgments
BIBLIOGRAPHY
APPENDIX A
Resources
Selected Training Aids and Equipment
Continuing Education Opportunities
Professional Organizations
APPENDIX B
Report Examples
K-9 Search Report
Example of Recovery Expansion Search Report
APPENDIX C
Resume Examples
Handler Resume
Example A
Example B
Canine Resume Example
Training Record Example
GLOSSARY
© 2000 By CRC Press LLC
