Detector Dogs and Scent Movement-How Weather, Terrain, and Vegetation Influence Search Strategies

235 Pages·2020·18.899 MB·\235

by  Tom Osterkamp (Author)

Detector Dogs and
Scent  Movement

Detector Dogs and
Scent  Movement
How Weather, Terrain, and
Vegetation Infuence Search Strategies
Tom Osterkamp
Cover photo courtesy of Glenda Eichmeyer
First edition published 2020
by CRC Press
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© 2020 by Tom Osterkamp
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Osterkamp, Tom, author.
Title: Detector dogs and the science of scent : a handler’s guide to
environments and procedures / Tom Osterkamp.
Description: Boca Raton, FL : CRC Press, [2020] | Includes bibliographical
references and index. |
Identifers: LCCN 2019050786 (print) | LCCN 2019050787 (ebook) | ISBN
9780367074296 (hardback) | ISBN 9780429020704 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Detector dogs--Sense organs. | Detector dogs--Training. |
Olfactory sensors.
Classifcation: LCC SF428.73 .O88 2020 (print) | LCC SF428.73 (ebook) |
DDC 636.73--dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019050786
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019050787
Typeset in Minion Pro
by Deanta Global Publishing Services, Chennai, India
Tis book is dedicated to my lovely wife Joan for her
assistance, patience, and always being there.

Contents
Preface xiii
Acknowledgments xv
1 Introduction 1
1.1 History 1
1.2 Purpose 4
1.3 Terminology 4
1.4 Using Search Dogs 6
2 The Dog’s Nose and Scent 9
2.1 Sense of Smell 9
2.1.1 Physiology and Function 9
2.2 Scent 16
2.2.1 Properties 16
2.2.2 Surfaces 18
2.2.3 Residual Scent 19
2.3 Training Aids 20
2.3.1 Explosives 22
2.3.2 Drugs 25
2.3.3 Human Scent 27
2.3.3.1 Decomposition 28
2.3.3.1.1 Autolysis 29
2.3.3.1.2 Putrefaction 29
2.3.3.1.3 Liquefaction and
Disintegration 30
2.3.3.1.4 Skeletonization and
Diagenesis 30
2.3.3.2 Scent Sources 30
2.3.3.2.1 Chemical Compounds 30
2.3.3.2.2 Compounds in Near-Surface
Soils 31
2.3.3.3 Live vs Dead 33
2.3.3.4 Cadaver Scent and Discrimination 34
2.3.3.5 Specifc Training Aids 34
2.3.4 Other Sources 36
vii
viii Contents
2.3.5 General Recommendations 37
2.3.5.1 Storage 37
2.4 Scent in Training 38
2.4.1 Scent Availability 38
2.4.2 Use of Aids 41
2.4.2.1 Preexposure and Prescenting 41
2.4.2.2 Type of Reward 41
2.4.2.3 Number of Aids 41
2.4.2.4 Reward Schedule 42
2.4.2.5 Multiple Component Sources 42
2.4.2.6 Distractions 42
2.4.3 Source Placement 43
2.4.4 Potential Problems 44
2.5 Summary 47
3 Scent and Wind 51
3.1 Scent Movement 51
3.1.1 Introduction 51
3.1.2 Scent Plumes 53
3.1.3 Wind 55
3.1.4 Air Stability 57
3.1.4.1 Stability Conditions 57
3.1.4.2 Efects of Stability on Searching 59
3.1.4.3 Efects of Stability on Plumes 60
3.2 Turbulence 64
3.2.1 Characteristics 64
3.2.2 Termal (Convective) Turbulence 65
3.2.2.1 Surface Temperatures 65
3.2.2.2 Non-Vegetated Surfaces 66
3.2.2.3 Termal Reversals 70
3.2.2.4 Sea and Land Breezes 70
3.2.2.5 Vegetated Surfaces 72
3.2.3 Mechanical Turbulence 73
3.2.3.1 Surface Roughness 73
3.2.3.2 Terrain Efects 74
3.2.3.2.1 Moderate terrain 74
3.2.3.2.2 Steep terrain 74
3.2.3.3 Efects of Vegetation 76
3.2.3.3.1 Shelterbelts 76
3.2.3.3.2 Forests 77
3.2.3.3.3 Combined terrain and
forest efects 80
3.3 Summary 80
Contents ix
4 Above-Ground Searches 85
4.1 Search Strategies 85
4.1.1 Introduction 85
4.1.2 Searching and Detecting 85
4.1.3 Locating Sources 87
4.1.4 Calm and Extreme Turbulence 88
4.2 Special Efects 89
4.2.1 Slope, Valley, and Prevailing Winds 89
4.2.2 Scent Collectors 92
4.2.3 Ponding 93
4.2.4 Channeling 94
4.2.5 Chimney Efect 95
4.2.6 Ridge to Ridge Scent Transport 96
4.3 Gridding and Detection Distances 96
4.3.1 Introduction 96
4.3.2 Examples 97
4.4 Distant Alerts 99
4.4.1 Te Problem 99
4.4.2 Locating the Source 101
4.4.3 Examples of Distant Alerts 103
4.4.3.1 Machias River, Maine, Suicidal Subject 104
4.4.3.2 Waterville Valley, New Hampshire,
Alzheimer’s Subject 105
4.4.3.3 Clarks Fork River, Wyoming, Missing
Person 107
4.5 Summary 108
5 Buried Sources 111
5.1 Introduction 111
5.1.1 Soil and VOC Properties 112
5.1.2 Buried Sources 115
5.2 Scent Movement in Soils 119
5.2.1 Processes 119
5.2.2 Gradient Transport in Unsaturated Soil 121
5.3 Soil–Air Interface 123
5.3.1 Boundary Layers 123
5.3.2 Ground Covers 125
5.4 Searching for Buried Sources 127
5.4.1 Searching 129
5.4.2 Soil Conditions 130
5.4.3 Weather Conditions 132
5.4.3.1 Wind 133