Considerations for Testing the Capability of Operational Detection Dogs

Porritt, Fay; Cracknell, Nina; Ratcliffe, Victoria F.; Elliker, Kevin; Hutchings, Bethany; Irish, Lorna; Birch, Ella; Robbins, Hannah; D’Souza, Natasha; Croft, Edward; HOBBS, Emma; Sibbald, Nicola

doi:10.1201/9781003261131-16

Cited by 1 publication

(2 citation statements)

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“…False indications were also noted on empty controls, when the handler did not call “blank” immediately after the dog had searched every container. False indications following a blank search is likely associated to the detection dog failing to find a target and take the chance of getting a reward by displaying a false positive indication on a blank pipe [ 39 ]. The handler became more confident at reading the detection dog behaviour as the trials progressed, therefore calling “blank” earlier during the trial.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A random number created in Microsoft Excel was used to determine at which position along the rig the target newt was placed. Following the Centre for the Protection of National Infrastructure (CPNI) Canine Odour Discrimination Test guidelines [ 38 ], Position 1 and 8 of the rig were not used as these locations were likely to yield misses or false indications relating to procedural training issues [ 39 ]. Position 1 acts as an overlap and ensures that the detection dog has settled into the search prior to encountering the first potential target, and Position 8 addresses indications given by dogs that have failed to find a target and take the chance of getting rewarded at the last location.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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An experimental assessment of detection dog ability to locate great crested newts (Triturus cristatus) at distance and through soil

et al. 2023

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Detection dogs are increasingly used to locate cryptic wildlife species, but their use for amphibians is still rather underexplored. In the present paper we focus on the great crested newt (Triturus cristatus), a European species which is experiencing high conservation concerns across its range, and assess the ability of a trained detection dog to locate individuals during their terrestrial phase. More specifically, we used a series of experiments to document whether a range of distances between target newts and the detection dog (odour channelled through pipes 68 mm in diameter) affects the localisation, and to assess the ability and efficiency of target newt detection in simulated subterranean refugia through 200 mm of two common soil types (clay and sandy soil, both with and without air vents to mimic mammal burrows, a common refuge used by T. cristatus). The detection dog accurately located all individual T. cristatus across the entire range of tested distances (0.25 m– 2.0 m). The substrate trials revealed that the detection dog could locate individuals also through soil. Contrary to existing studies with detection dogs in human forensic contexts, however, detection was generally slower for T. cristatus under sandy soil compared to clay soil, particularly when a vent was absent. Our study provides a general baseline for the use of detection dogs in locating T. cristatus and similar amphibian species during their terrestrial phase.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%