Type and storage of human remains detection canine training aids: A review and handler survey
When properly trained, canines are very effective detectors, especially in human remains detection (HRD) and search and rescue (SAR). However, the variability in decomposition odor profiles presents a challenge and requires extensive and adaptable training. Although some protocols and guidelines exi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-12-01
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| Series: | Forensic Science International: Synergy |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589871X25000543 |
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| _version_ | 1849319303651786752 |
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| author | Fantasia Whaley Daigoro Greco Kaitlyn Mercando Rushali Dargan Lauryn DeGreeff |
| author_facet | Fantasia Whaley Daigoro Greco Kaitlyn Mercando Rushali Dargan Lauryn DeGreeff |
| author_sort | Fantasia Whaley |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | When properly trained, canines are very effective detectors, especially in human remains detection (HRD) and search and rescue (SAR). However, the variability in decomposition odor profiles presents a challenge and requires extensive and adaptable training. Although some protocols and guidelines exist, they do not account for all the possible influential factors leading to inconsistency between organizations. This paper combines a review of research on factors affecting the odor profile of remains with a survey of canine training in the field. Key aspects covered include training aid materials used (e.g. bones, blood, body parts), sample age, containment material, and storage conditions. Findings reveal a consensus amongst handlers and research in some practices, such as use of multiple training aid materials for a variation in odor profiles and use of glass containment to minimize background odor. Discrepancies, however, remain, particularly in the age of sample (fresh vs. very aged), frequency of aid replacement, and storage conditions such as temperature and humidity. The results emphasize the importance of exposing canines to diverse remains odors in differing conditions, providing recommendations for more improved HRD training and directions of future research. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3d90fbc65a0a45a1a5a800a546b8b988 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2589-871X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-12-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Forensic Science International: Synergy |
| spelling | doaj-art-3d90fbc65a0a45a1a5a800a546b8b9882025-08-20T03:50:31ZengElsevierForensic Science International: Synergy2589-871X2025-12-011110062510.1016/j.fsisyn.2025.100625Type and storage of human remains detection canine training aids: A review and handler surveyFantasia Whaley0Daigoro Greco1Kaitlyn Mercando2Rushali Dargan3Lauryn DeGreeff4Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St., Miami, FL, 33199, USADepartment of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St., Miami, FL, 33199, USADepartment of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St., Miami, FL, 33199, USADepartment of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St., Miami, FL, 33199, USACorresponding author.; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St., Miami, FL, 33199, USAWhen properly trained, canines are very effective detectors, especially in human remains detection (HRD) and search and rescue (SAR). However, the variability in decomposition odor profiles presents a challenge and requires extensive and adaptable training. Although some protocols and guidelines exist, they do not account for all the possible influential factors leading to inconsistency between organizations. This paper combines a review of research on factors affecting the odor profile of remains with a survey of canine training in the field. Key aspects covered include training aid materials used (e.g. bones, blood, body parts), sample age, containment material, and storage conditions. Findings reveal a consensus amongst handlers and research in some practices, such as use of multiple training aid materials for a variation in odor profiles and use of glass containment to minimize background odor. Discrepancies, however, remain, particularly in the age of sample (fresh vs. very aged), frequency of aid replacement, and storage conditions such as temperature and humidity. The results emphasize the importance of exposing canines to diverse remains odors in differing conditions, providing recommendations for more improved HRD training and directions of future research.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589871X25000543Detection caninesHuman remainsHuman remains detectionTraining aidStorage |
| spellingShingle | Fantasia Whaley Daigoro Greco Kaitlyn Mercando Rushali Dargan Lauryn DeGreeff Type and storage of human remains detection canine training aids: A review and handler survey Forensic Science International: Synergy Detection canines Human remains Human remains detection Training aid Storage |
| title | Type and storage of human remains detection canine training aids: A review and handler survey |
| title_full | Type and storage of human remains detection canine training aids: A review and handler survey |
| title_fullStr | Type and storage of human remains detection canine training aids: A review and handler survey |
| title_full_unstemmed | Type and storage of human remains detection canine training aids: A review and handler survey |
| title_short | Type and storage of human remains detection canine training aids: A review and handler survey |
| title_sort | type and storage of human remains detection canine training aids a review and handler survey |
| topic | Detection canines Human remains Human remains detection Training aid Storage |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589871X25000543 |
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