Info for Law Enforcement
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| Requesting the Bloodhound Team The success rate of the bloodhound team depends largely on the actions of the first responding officers arriving at the scene. It is imperative that officers decide as soon as possible to call for the bloodhound team, rather than using the bloodhounds as a last resort. The sooner the team is notified and responds, the better chance they have of being successful. However, bloodhounds have been successful in working in contaminated areas and working trails that are days old. Types of Cases or Investigations Bloodhounds can be Used: Missing or Lost Adults or Children Criminal Trailing Escapes Types of Cases or Investigations Bloodhounds can not be Used: Building Searches for Criminal Suspects Crowd Control Locating Drugs Scent Articles: Bloodhounds need a scent article to learn the scent of the person they will be seeking. Do not handle any items that could be used as scent articles. Allow the handler to recover their own scent articles. Scent articles can include: · Clothing ·Bed linens ·Hairbrushes ·Toothbrushes ·Other personal items used exclusively by the person being sought. Scent articles can also include: ·Car seats ·Steering wheels ·Door knobs ·Furniture Other items used recently by or exclusively by the person sought. Shoe prints of the person sought can also be used as a scent article. If any person has entered and/or searched the area, have that person present for the bloodhound handler, so the bloodhound can eliminate that person. If any part of the vehicle is to be used as a scent article, do not move or tow the vehicle. If any person has entered and/or searched the vehicle, have that person present for the bloodhound handler, so the bloodhound can eliminate that person. Preparation For Bloodhound Teams Arrival: The area where the person being sought was last seen should be protected. If that area must be entered and/or searched prior to the bloodhound teams arrival, allow only authorized personnel within that area. Do not park running vehicles near the area where the bloodhound will be starting the search. The exhaust fumes may affect the bloodhound sense of smell. Arrival of the Bloodhound Team: All bloodhound handlers and dogs work differently. Ask the handler what he or she needs and how they can be assisted. Advise the handler of the following: ·The facts of the cases. ·A complete description of the person being sought. ·The last known location of the person being sought. ·Areas that have been searched. ·The availability of scent articles. The Search: ·Follow behind the bloodhound and handler. ·Do not crowd the bloodhound and handler. ·Do not fan out to the sides of the bloodhound and handler, unless requested. ·Do not walk in front of the bloodhound. ·The bloodhound may stop momentarily, if this occurs stop also. ·Officers accompanying the bloodhound team, are the eyes and ears for the bloodhound handler. ·Officers accompanying the bloodhound team often see the person being sought before the bloodhound and the handler do. If this occurs, tell the handler and ask for instructions. ·Do not influence or instruct the handler in what direction to search, however do inform the handler of any observations you make. Understanding the Bloodhound’s Behavior During the Search: ·Bloodhounds stop from time to time to cast for scent. They often move about from side to side or move in circles. ·Bloodhounds may explore an area for scent, then stop and double back. ·Bloodhounds may not follow that exact trail the person being sought did. Many factors are involved influence their behavior. The handler will explain this to you. ·In some cases the bloodhound will stop working. There are a variety of reasons for this. The handler will explain what has happened. If this occurs, the handler may request another bloodhound and handler or cadaver dog. Post Search Procedures: The bloodhound does not always follow the exact trail of the person being sought. As a result it is possible evidence may be bypassed during the trailing. Depending on the type of case and circumstances, a search for evidence may be needed after the bloodhound has completed the search. The handler can assist you with suggestions of where the actual trail may be. In Conclusion: This document is intended as a general set of guidelines for bloodhound deployment. Every bloodhound and handler work differently and may have additional requests and work in slightly different manners. The handler will advise you as to what their particular needs are. Bloodhounds are not successful in all cases. Some bloodhounds and handlers work better than others. However, the use of the bloodhound is an often overlooked resource in law enforcement and when used in a timely and proper manner, can resolve cases that would have never been solved. The key to success is a rapid deployment of the bloodhound team. Sgt. Joe Canfield, Ret. Instructor/Handler of Man Trailing Bloodhounds K-9 Director for NCMEC |
