Instructor: Ted L. Shelton, DMin, PhD, CPAC Chaplain, SC Law Enforcement Chaplains Association ICPC Certified Senior Chaplain Instructor Candidate ICISF Crisis Response Specialist – Ala CISM Team K – 9 Owner and Handler, K-9 Specialty Services of Alabama, Inc. Target Audience: Law Enforcement Officers, EMTs, Fire & Rescue FBI Instructor Development Course SCSO Training Center, Columbiana, AL August 12,

Preserving the Search / Crime Scene for the K-9 Search and Rescue Team Introduction K-9 resources have been used successfully by law enforcement agencies for many years. The Bloodhound has been the standard for Search and Rescue animals, yet very little is known about the this unique breed which needs no training to find and smell human skin cell scents on articles of clothing, keys, vehicles, and scratch marks on about any surface. In the same fashion, the dog then follows scent cones trail left by the lost subject until he/she is found. At the end of this two hour presentation, you will see for your self the value of Bloodhounds in future S&R missions. 2

Preserving the Search / Crime for the K-9 Search and Rescue Team Statement of Goals and Objectives Instructional Goal: Upon completion of this 2 hour lesson, students will understand and perform the roles and responsibilities of the various members of a K-9 Search & Rescue Team, if it is to be successful. Learning Objectives: Students will apply knowledge of the 7 specific guidelines listed in the body of this lesson by performing in a live search & rescue team exercise, demonstrating a working knowledge learned in this session in an assigned team role in a 30 minute time limit. Students will demonstrate working skills of 7 functions of a Search & Rescue Team Activity: K-9 Search & Rescue Team Members: Student will learn and list the minimum of 5 member positions associated with field S & R Teams. 3

4 Preserving the Scene: Students will learn and list the 5 requirements for Preserving the Scene Characteristics of BHs that are without peer: Students will learn 12 unique scent characteristics of BHs that are without peer. Search & Rescue Activities of Ground Scent K-9s: Student will learn and list 5 vital activities of ground scent dogs in a search. K-9 Handler: Students will learn and list 5 responsibilities of K-9 Handler. Backup Officer: Student will learn and list the 5 duties of the Backup Officer. Live K-9 S&R Team Tracking Exercise: Student will demonstrate working knowledge of the K-9 S&R Team members responsibilities by participating in a 30 minute live S&R Team tracking exercise. Statement of Goals and Objectives Continued: Preserving the Search / Crime for the K-9 Search and Rescue Team

Preserving the Search / Crime for the K-9 Search and Rescue Team Criterion Test Questions Criterion measured by student by administering and scoring test questions matching the seven (7) stated instructional learning objectives in II above. 1. Name 5 positions associated with field S & R Teams.. 2. List the 5 requirements for Preserving the Scene. 3. Twelve (12) unique scent characteristics of BHs that are without peer. 4. List 5 vital activities of ground scent dogs in a search. 5. List 5 responsibilities of the K-9 Handler. 6. List 5 responsibilities of the Backup Officer 7. Demonstrate working knowledge of the K-9 S&R Team members responsibilities by participating in a 30 minute live S&R Team tracking exercise. 5

Preserving the Search / Crime for the K-9 Search and Rescue Team Procedures 1. Meet the K-9 Search & Rescue Tracking, Trailing Team Members: a. First officer on scene, b. Parameter officer plus [supervisors], c. K-9 - Bloodhound, one of a kind hound dog d. Handler e. Back-up officer and K-9 support team 6

Preserving the Search / Crime for the K-9 Search and Rescue Team Procedures 2. Secure/Preserve Scene for K-9 Search & Rescue Team a. Request assistance of K-9 Team ASAP after initial search of the scene, b. Secure the scene from all unnecessary foot or vehicle traffic, c. Do not handle or disturb potential scent articles, d. Officers at scene should standby until the K-9 Team arrives so their scents can be eliminated by the bloodhound, e. Do not contaminate area with exhaust fumes. 7

Preserving the Search / Crime for the K-9 Search and Rescue Team Procedures 3. Bloodhound Characteristics without Peer a. Bloodhounds have scenting capability 10k better than man to store limitless smells in their olfactory. b. BHs follow and store ground scents in their noses, muzzle, saliva and ears. c. BHs are so focused on ground scent that they ignore everything else including traffic, other animals, people, snakes, etc. d. BHs follow a scent cone left by the subjects unique human skin cells. e. BHs work at varying rates of speed depending wind and weather conditions. 8

Preserving the Search / Crime for the K-9 Search and Rescue Team Procedures 3. Bloodhound Characteristics without Peer f. BHs have been known to track a strong scent until exhaustion. g. BHs are used to trail deer relentlessly. h. BHs are loving, playful, but not aggressive, nor protective. i. BHs sleep approximately 18 to 20 hours per day. j. BHs need to work every day for at least an hour. k. Leading cause of death of BHs is bloat from the twisting of their stomach muscles. l. BHs must be watched carefully for overheating shown by a hanging shovel tongue and hot ear tips---which must be cooled slowly with wet (not hot or cold) towels around the head. 9

Preserving the Search / Crime for the K-9 Search and Rescue Team Procedures 4. Responsibilities of Dog in Search & Rescue Mission a. Bloodhounds can track multiple scents from one location. b. Bloodhounds can conduct a lineup or pick a subject out of a crowd. c. BHs can tract scents to bodies located in water or buried underground. d. BHs can locate weapons or items discarded by subjects. e. BHs scent detection old-factory is unlimited. 10

Preserving the Search / Crime for the K-9 Search and Rescue Team Procedures 5. Responsibilities of Handler in Search & Rescue Mission a. Handler must trust the dogs instincts---not his own regarding dogs approach to finding the subject---Exceptions are when dog wants to go beyond the parameters set by first officer on scene or supervising officer on scene. b. Handler must watch out for dogs safety acting as eyes and ears when BHs are working. c. Handler must insure/preserve dogs safety and health. d. Handler must look for tracks and scent articles on trail. e. Handler must protect the scent articles from decontamination by placing them in storage bags. 11

Preserving the Search / Crime for the K-9 Search and Rescue Team Procedures 6. Support Backup of K-9 Tracking, Trailing Team a. Back-up tracking officer team is to follow the K-9 Tracking team (K-9 & handler) not less than 15 or more than 20 feet. b. The back-up officer is the liaison communicator between the tracking team and the command post. c. Back-up support officer may also assign others at the scene to walk the perimeter, behind the path of the scent cone being followed by the K9. d. When the subject is found, the back-up officer is responsible for reporting back to the command post. e. K-9 Team returns to the beginning of search with found subject. 12

Preserving the Search / Crime for the K-9 Search and Rescue Team Procedures 7. Application of a K-9 Search & Rescue Scene - Tracking Exercise a. Students will be assigned a role on the K-9 S&R Team by the Instructor. b. Students will evaluate field trial performance of self and other team members. 13

Preserving the Search / Crime for the K-9 Search and Rescue Team Summary As Baby-boomers advance in age, the number of lost geriatrics and children will strain police and fire/rescue resources. The Bloodhound is the most efficient and cost effective ideal resource for finding these lost people. Bloodhounds need no training to find and smell human skin cell scents on articles of clothing, keys, vehicles, and scratch marks on about any surface. Bloodhounds follow scent cone trails left by the lost subject(s) until he/she/they are found. 14

Preserving the Search / Crime Scene for the K-9 Search and Rescue Team When your agency receives a request to search for lost citizens: Call K-9 Specialty Services of Alabama immediately and preserve the search / crime scene until our NOCSAR nationally certified K-9s arrive with their professional handlers. Call us before you budget for K-9 Services. Chances are we can provide the same services for less than you can within your agency. Les Brown – Ted Shelton – June