NASDU Accredited Training

Cadaver detection dogs have been widely used around the world. Their inherent search for food has made them the ideal tool to assist law enforcement officers in the search for human remains. They have been used for a variety of scenarios, from scenes of crime to mass disasters. The advantages of cadaver dogs are their ability to cover large areas, for example aircraft crash /mass graves, and to detect remains underground. 

Modern day cadaver detection dogs have been trained to work alongside other search techniques such as ground penetrating radar (provided to us by Forensics Connect in partnership with the University of Leicester). By working to a strict protocol they are able to work together with these other techniques thus giving the investigator a greater understanding of the search. 

Dedicated cadaver detection dogs are trained to ignore other food types and will only give an alert on the scent of pig (used in training) or human remains. Their specialised training reduces the amount of “false positive” indications and enables them to search large areas relatively quickly when compared to other search techniques.

The training of these dogs has been carried out in conjunction with leading research teams at two UK Universities. 

The training of cadaver detection dogs to search for submerged human remains is relatively new to the UK. However, with natural disasters occurring more frequently around the world, their usage is becoming ever more prevalent.

Combined with highly qualified water search personnel these dogs are able to search large areas of water, both lakes and rivers, helping to reduce the search area for other search personnel and making it more safe and time effective.

Live Person (air scenting) detection involves the use of highly trained search dogs and handlers in the search for lost, overdue, and injured walkers or climbers whose location is unknown.

The dogs are trained to locate the missing person by homing in on the airborne human scent emanating from the missing person. The dog and handler are trained to cover large areas of terrain, with the dog free ranging from the handler, searching for the scent carried on the wind. When this happens the dog will follow the scent to its source and then return to the handler and give an audible indication and then will lead the handler back to the missing person. 

Live Person (air scenting) dogs are able to search large areas, in all weathers, day and night with a high degree of accuracy. Even if the casualty is not located in the searched area the dog is still a vital asset as the search managers are now able to exclude the searched area with some degree of certainty and move their efforts and resources elsewhere. It has been stated that 1 search dog and handler team equates to approximately 20 trained search personnel in bad weather and at night this number can be increased.

Whilst Mantrailing may be seen as similar to Live Person Air Scenting Detection, there are some clear differences.

Tracking teams are tasked with searching for and locating specific individuals and aim to "track" their path from the point last seen. Mantrailing/Tracking dogs are given the scent of the missing individual (through clothing or something personal to that individual) and they are then tasked with locating that person's "track".

Whilst live person air scenting person search teams cover wide areas with the dog working free from a lead, the mantrailing/tracking dog will be attached to a long line so as to lead the handler along the path taken by the missing individual. This also allows the handler to control the dog during the search.   

Collapsed Buildings/Confined Space Detection Dogs are trained to work in very difficult settings usually as a result of a building collapse. Buildings may collapse due to seismic activity (earthquakes and tremors) or other natural disaster or as a result of an explosion (conflict, accidental etc.)

Dogs are trained to either work over the surface of the collapsed building to search for any survivors buried within the rubble. For smaller dogs, they can be also trained to work their way into the rubble and go deeper than a surface dog to locate victims.

UK-K9 Training for Excellence have access to top class training locations  to provide the dog and handler with a the necessary experience needed to work whilst also learning all about the health & safety aspects of this area of work.  

UK-K9 Training for Excellence also offers various training courses for those that rely on helicopters for use in professional circumstances. The courses are designed to increase safety, in and around the aircraft, increase interoperability between air and ground units and to develop standard operating procedures. Examples of courses include: 

Helicopter familiarisation, Safety & Awareness

This course is designed to introduce professionals to best operating and safe working procedures whilst working with helicopters. The course consists of both indoor theory study and practical sessions with safety increased both in and around the aircraft. 

Winching

UK-K9 Training for Excellence can provide its client’s with a winching course which aims to train people on how to winch to and from a helicopter in the safest and most effective way possible. The course aims to teach this in various weather conditions, day and night at various heights, with and without K9.

Abseiling/Rappelling

In some instances, it is not possible to use a winch as a means of extracting or inserting personnel. To resolve this UK-K9 Training for Excellence offers an abseiling or rappelling course designed to train delegates on how to abseil/rappel from a helicopter. As per the abseiling course, delegates will gain experience rappelling from various heights, in various conditions, day and night and with and without K9. 

 UK- K9 delivers an 8 unit programme which will aid the dog handler support person to acquire a range of skills that will enhance search capability by providing operational support in such functions as communications navigation, K9 First Aid and other subjects relevant to specific K9 search operations. 

The course will be delivered as a range of modules. Four of the modules will be mandatory. Additional modules may be completed on an elective basis depending on the role of the K9 resource. Dog handlers and those involved in the deployment and management of K9 teams may also find the course useful.   

This qualification whilst not a security discipline has been developed by UK-K9 Training for Excellence having many years of experience in this field and is endorsed by NASDU.