MISSING PERSONS

HRD dogs are often more effective than humans at searching wooded areas and waterways as well as large land areas.  Dog teams are also useful in the elimination of area.  CSS can and will provide search strategies for law enforcement based upon the type of missing person case.  Consider using an HRD team sooner than later.

DROWNINGS / WATER RECOVERY

Nearly immediately after death by drowning, a body will begin to decompose and release gases which rise to the water's surface.  It is these gases that the HRD dog is trained to detect.  The same is true for human remains that are maliciously deposited, either intact or in pieces, into a waterway.  CSS has indications in depths of up to 100 feet.  The deepest recorded find by an HRD dog was in Idaho, in water over 300 feet deep. 

When requesting a water search, CSS will need to be provided with a boat and driver.  The handler will utilize GPS and record areas of indication.  Coordinates and a map of the area will be provided, along with further information on tools available to assist law enforcement in the event of a difficult or challenging recovery.

SCATTERED REMAINS

Remains, especially skeletal, that are left undiscovered outdoors are often disturbed by scavengers such as bears, coyotes and rodents.  As a result, some remains that may provide valuable clues to a professional assigned to determine cause of death or identity may be missing from the recovery site.  An HRD dog can locate scattered remains much more efficiently than human searchers.

BURNED REMAINS

Burned remains detection is an advanced skill.  Dogs that have not been properly trained to detect the specific odor of burned remains can completely miss a burned corpse or bones.  A properly trained HRD dog can very quickly determine if a body is present in a burned structure, and can also help define a more specific search area within the debris.  CSS currently has two dog teams that are proficient in locating burned remains and have actual field experience in this area. 

BURIED REMAINS

Buried remains detection is arguably the most advanced area for an HRD dog and handler, and are a valuable step in the process to recover a buried body.  The dog can effectively eliminate and/or narrow the area to be searched.  Please contact us for more information if you are considering utilizing an HRD dog on a case involving suspected buried remains.

HOMICIDES

When a homicide is suspected but the body is still missing, an HRD dog can be invaluable.  When CSS is requested to assist on such a case, we will need to be given as much information as possible to more accurately complete a search profile and strategy.  Remember, preserving confidentiality is of extreme importance to CSS, and our team is professionally trained to ensure that our operations never compromise an ongoing investigation.

In the case of a homicide, an HRD-only dog (one not cross-trained in live search) is most often recommended, to circumvent potential legal obstacles in court later.  Issues of search and seizure will need to be reviewed prior to searching an area.  Carren and Theresa have been utilized in approximately 50 homicide searches since 2000, and their extensive experience can be drawn upon.

TRACE EVIDENCE

A properly trained and proficient HRD dog can assist law enforcement by locating, often within mere inches, the precise location of your crime scene.  Exceptions are few, and include death by asphyxiation if the body is removed from the area immediately.  Additionally, a properly trained HRD dog can accurately detect tiny drops of blood and strands of hair.

Please note that the HRD dogs at CSS will NEVER alert on animal blood unless it has been cross-contaminated with human blood or remains. 

While an HRD dog can differentiate between animal and human blood, they cannot assist in determining if the blood at a crime scene came from a victim who was alive or a victim who was deceased.  If there is any uncertainty as to whether your victim is alive or deceased, we can provide recommendations to handlers with dual-purpose search dogs that will alert on both live and deceased victims.  A dog trained in HRD only will not alert on live victims unless, for example, blood is present on their clothing.  If you think your victim is alive and relatively uninjured, a dual-purpose dog is a better option.

Please contact us for more information if you may require assistance with any of these scenarios.

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