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FREQUENTLY
ASKED
QUESTIONS
Details on what we do and how we do it.
What do the K-9's search for?
The K-9’s are searching for human remains (HR) odour. They are looking for the highest concentration of scent they can find. They are trained to alert when they can put their nose close to the HR odour, as known as a “source”. We also train the K-9’s to alert on “inaccessible source”. These are conditions where the K-9’s cannot put their nose close to a source due to the source being out of physical reach to them. HR odour has over 800 volatile organic compounds that are released into the air. These compounds change as decomposition progresses and environmental factors impact it over time. We train our K-9’s on HR odours that are in varying stages of decomposition and are of varying scent strengths to mimic in-the-field search conditions.
How do the K-9's know the difference between people and animals when searching?
The K-9’s are trained on a wide variety of samples that contain the scent of human remains (HR). We use non-HR scents such as animal urine, scents from live persons, and food so we can conduct distraction training, which teaches the K-9’s to ignore common distractions they will come across during a search and focus only on HR scents. To introduce a new scent to a K-9, the scent is placed on and mixed with a variety of objects such as clothing, electronics, and tools. K-9’s prove they can distinguish between HR and non-HR scents by being tested with non-HR scents on animal bones, clothing, electronics, etc.
What environments and conditions do the K-9's train in?
We train 2 to 4 times per week in a variety of environments and weather conditions, using a multitude of scent specimens and objects. These training aides help the K-9’s recognize human remains (HR) scent regardless of where and how they find it. Examples of training environments include vehicles, buildings, short grass, marsh, long grass, forest, gravel pit, beach, etc. Weather variables include heat, cold, humidity, wind, rain, and snow. Wherever we have access, we train there.
What are bio-specimens?
Bio-specimens are donated human body parts we obtain from verified sources. These specimens include teeth, hair, fingernails, old bones, new bones, placenta tissue, placenta blood, human blood, and commercial grade Getxent tubes of cadaver odor designed specifically for K-9 scent training. When an individual has a procedure done, they can arrange for their joints, bones, organs, etc. to be donated to us for scent training. We often use bones that are aged in several conditions that simulate a variety of environments. We do not use synthetic, chemical, or fake human scents or remains, and our samples are strictly from reliable and verifiable sources.
How are bio-specimens and HR materials stored?
Scenting material is stored in secure and airtight containers. These materials are tracked as to when they are collected, where collected, and what type of source they are. Current materials range in age from 15 years to within 24 hours of collection. To simulate realistic search conditions, some of the source is left in the environment for months, while other material is utilized for training within a half hour of placement in the environment.
What is the age range of specimens that K-9's can detect?
Decomposition happens at different rates and different times, giving off varying gases, fluids, and hormones. Organic chemicals and matter may rise to the surface of the ground or be trapped underground by an object (dirt, stones, branches, man-made materials). Different decomposition times depend on a variety of conditions including animal involvement and location (i.e. under ice, under water, in a container, in the sun, or effected by weather). Decomposition also depends upon temperature, season, position, and many other factors. Our K-9’s are currently training on decomposed sources that are estimated to be within a range of 25 years to 1 day old.
How deep in underground can the K-9's detect HR?
We train the K-9’s to detect human remains (HR) scent at the ground level, up to six feet in the air, and down to 3 feet underground. We do this using depth progression training as the K-9’s increase in their abilities.
What does TFR mean and why is it important?
Our K-9’s alert on human remains (HR) by demonstrating a Trained Final Response (TFR). This is an alert given by the K-9 when the source of an HR odour is found. The K-9 will stay with the source of the odour and perform a TFR such as barking. A head turn occurs when a K-9 hits the edge of target odour, and consequently “snaps” its head in that direction. This is also known as a “positive indication.” Our Handlers watch almost exclusively for one thing when they are working their K-9: the TFR. It is critical to know when their K9 has identified an HR odour source, and where exactly that source is located. Some factors may interfere with a K-9 performing their TFR. Occasionally, a K9 will be confronted with significantly more or less odour than they have been trained on, or there may be other environmental factors (such as air movement) that can cause them to not provide their Handler a TFR. In the presence of an HR odour – even if conditions may not be ideal – our K-9’s will demonstrate what is called a Change of Behavior (COB). This means that a K-9’s body language will change once it potentially identifies an odour, which typically always happens just before their TFR. This trained response is important as it indicates there is HR present. Once Handlers identify the moment that their K-9 has found an odour, they will note where their K-9 showed interest in that specific area. Once the Handler confirms the K-9 presents with a TFR, Command will send in a second K-9 and Handler team through the area on a double-blind search to obtain a second TFR. We require a minimum of two K-9 TFR alerts in order to consider a positive find.
What certifications do the K-9’s and members have?
Our activation certification process consists of 3 levels before K-9 and Handler teams are certified as active. Each level increases in intensity, challenge, problem solving and stamina. It generally takes two years of training for both Handler and K-9 to be certified but this varies depending on several factors. The Handler is tested on their search strategy and ability to “read” their K-9 as the difficulty may involve placement of source to create odor pools, or inaccessible hides. Level 3 is the certification phase where the K-9 and Handler are tested in multiple environments, with increasing duration of search and increasing difficulty of finding source among increasing distractors. The scent source may be suspended up to 6 feet and buried up to 3 feet. The K-9’s alert and commitment to source is very important. The Handler is tested on search strategy as well as radios, GPS, safety, handling of a “find”, and ability to work through a scenario. If they are successful with no mistakes or misses, the team is activated for deployment. Handlers are either Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) Certified or are certified as Field Technicians, which is comparable to GSAR. K-9 teams consist of a certified K-9, a certified Handler, at least one GSAR member and a Field Tech. These technicians oversee K-9 and Handler safety, navigation, track areas of K-9 interest, identify articles, manage radio communications, and such. Movements are tracked by GPS for each member and by GPS collars for each K-9. All search information is documented throughout the search. Our command team consists of senior executive members who are certified to the JIBC ICS 300 level, Search and Rescue (SAR) team leaders and SAR Managers and have significant boots on the ground SAR experience in both live and recovery searching. Our Handlers come from a variety of professions including military, search and rescue, medical, veterinary, firefighting, management etc. Their professional training and experience contribute valuable depth of our organization. All our members have additional training in a multitude of SAR related education. Some include Emergency Management degrees (in progress),radio operations, GSAR, LUSAR, Urban Technical Rescue (rope, structural collapse, trench, confined space), navigation, first aid, tactical K-9 first aid, WHMIS, BLS/AED; Swift Water Rescue, Critical Incident Stress Management, Conflict Resolution and others that directly and indirectly assist members in team operations. We follow the ICS model and Lost Person Behaviour protocols as the foundation of our search profiles. Our member training standards are in line with national SARVAC requirements. Many Handlers and team members also volunteer on local EMBC live search teams. Additionally, several of our members volunteer with the local municipal emergency management departments. Our members have SAR deployment experience, assisting at fires, floods, and rescues. Generally the deployments followed the ICS model and Chain of Command protocols, and these same standards are implemented in our organization. Senior members of our team have taken courses at UVIC department of Anthropology and regularly obtain independent training on forensic anthropology as it relates to human remains detection. All members receive training that focuses on finding, identifying, and preserving human remains. They are also trained in odour and scent theory and search strategy and ground search and rescue techniques.
What does a typical search involve?
Teams are deployed after preplanning is completed by the senior executive members. Lost person behavior and data collected from authorizing agency and/or family members assist in determining scope and area of search operations. Start points generally rely on last point seen and areas of highest probability scenarios. K-9, Handler, and Field Tech teams move out in grid patterns or predetermined areas from that point. We generally run two to three teams at a time in different areas. We follow the ICS model and Lost Person Behaviour protocols as the foundation of our search profiles.
Who certifies your K-9’s and Handlers?
We do not self-certify. Our evaluation and certification process always consists of an independent, third-party certified evaluator, MaryAnn Warren, from SARDAA in Alberta. MaryAnn Warren is a highly experienced SAR dog trainer and handler with over 40 years in the field. She has served as the Training Director for the Search & Rescue Dog Association of Alberta (SARDAA) for 25 years and is the owner of Precision Search Dog, specializing in obedience, agility, tracking, and human remains detection. MaryAnn is a published author of four search dog training books and has contributed to SAR training globally, including in Armenia and Malta. She has received numerous awards, including the Alberta Emergency Service Medal and recognition for over 30 years of volunteer SAR service. A former K9 member of the Canadian Heavy Urban Search and Rescue (HUSAR) Task Force II, MaryAnn helped develop Canada's first National Disaster Dog guidelines. She is also a qualified expert witness in human remains detection and has evaluated SAR dog teams in the U.S.
Do you work with the Police?
Yes, the police are one of our authorizing agencies where we will deploy at their direction. CCC does not self-deploy. We deploy at the request of and follow instructions of police, other authorizing agencies (such as fire, coroner etc.), and families. We are building relationships with agencies and organizations across Canada. We have recently assisted the RCMP in North Vancouver on a search and the RCMP on a search in Campbell River late last year. We have been designated as the provincial and regional K-9 Human Remains Detection (HRD) organization to assist a National Missing Persons Group with their searches in BC and western Canada. We have assisted them on six searches in the past 10 months in various locations throughout BC. We are currently working with two members of the Victoria Police Department who are attending our training and certifications, watching our K-9’s and Handlers search for HR remains. We are currently developing a blood trailing program with our hounds and other selected K-9’s, for Vic PD and other agencies.
Where do you conduct searches?
We train and search in rural, urban, water, and disaster environments on Vancouver Island, around the province, and are available to assist across Canada. We search in all seasons, all environments, and in all conditions.
What K-9 breeds are on the team?
Each Handler owns and trains their own K-9. Our current K-9’s include Malinois, Blood Hounds, Dutch Shepherds, Blue Heelers, Labradors, Lurchers, and German Shepherds. They are chosen for their hunt drive, intelligence, and physical and mental stamina.
Do your K-9's dig for remains?
Our K-9’s do not dig. They alert with a trained response where they sit at source of the odour and alert their Handler, so as not to disturb whatever it is they may have located. Depending on circumstances, we also train the K-9’s to “show me”, where K-9 points their nose at the source of scent. All team members are trained in preserving the site for possible forensics and are trained to not disturb the general area.
What do you do when potential HR scent is detected?
When a point of interest is located by a K-9, we remove other K-9’s and Handlers from the area. We record the GPS coordinates and notify Command. Command deploys a second certified K-9 and Handler team to review the area by conducting a double-blind search. If the second K-9 alerts, we consider this an area of high probability of human remains scent. We do not assume we have found a lost person or remains. We are merely confirming that our K-9’s have shown a positive TFR on HR scent. When at least two certified K-9’s confirms the detection of possible HR scent, we implement our forensic protocols. We may bring in a third team for further verification. We do not touch or move anything, we call the police, photograph everything, tape off the area of interest, and follow any directions given by the police. Command ends the search and recalls all members from the immediate area. We remain in the operational area, protecting the source area until the police arrive.