German Shepherds are a common breed of drug-sniffing dog.
A report on the Web site, Daily Puppy, explains in detail that research by CNN indicates that canines have highly developed olfactory senses. According to research scientists at Alabama A&M University, a dog's sense of smell can be 1,000 times more powerful than that of a human being, allowing them in some cases to smell things that humans cannot. Understanding canine capabilities is a key factor in law enforcement training. Canines are often used in airports and other places that may be used to store or transport illegal drugs.
Detection of Narcotics
Dogs can learn to detect and identify a variety of common illegal drugs, including heroin, methamphetamine, LSD, peyote, ecstasy, marijuana and cocaine. Dogs can learn to smell marijuana from up to 15 feet away. They are can learn to smell drug residue on clothing for up to 48 hours after a person smokes marijuana.
The Training of Canines for Law Enforcement Tasks
Trainers using positive reinforcement can teach dogs to understand a variety of commands. Dogs receive rewards when they complete tasks such as learning to sit, walking on command, digging and barking. Once they achieve an understanding of basic commands, dogs learn about "pseudonarcotics." These are items that contain smells designed to imitate controlled substances, including cocaine, heroin and marijuana. Dogs learn to give a signal with their bodies, such as tail wagging or by barking to indicate a find.
Official Certification
Different law enforcement agencies have certain standards that dogs must meet in order to be certified to work with an officer to detect drugs. To test dogs, trainers hide drugs in various locations where they criminals may commonly hide them, such as vehicles, in luggage or in buildings. A dog must must be totally accurate in identifying the scent of a substance and alerting the trainer to it's location. Dogs receive grades and are either certified or retrained. In some cases, dogs do not pass training and cannot work in the field. A defense attorney with a client accused of dealing in illicit drugs may ask for the dog's certification to be presented at a trial if police used a dog to implicate his client in a crime.
Better Understanding Canine Olfactory Senses
Dogs come equipped at birth with approximately 220 million olfactory receptors in their noses. Human beings on the other hand have closer to 5 million. Dogs also have a specialized organ that humans do not possess, known as the vomeronasal organ. This small organ enhances the already highly powerful sense of smell that a canine has. Based on the fact that drugs give off certain subtle scents, it makes sense that dogs have a better chance of smelling them than do humans.
Tags: Dogs learn, Dogs receive, illegal drugs, learn smell, sense smell, some cases