Cadaver Dog Training Techniques

Dogs used in cadaver recovery are trained to locate decomposing or newly deceased bodies, bones, tissue, bodily fluids and body parts. Cadaver recovery dogs are subjected to highly specialized training techniques. According to the book ̶0;Guide to Search and Rescue Dogs,̶1; since 2003 they have been separated into categories and trained for specific tasks such as human remains detection (HRD) or forensic search.

  1. Basic Training Techniques

    • A dog needs basic obedience before it can begin advanced cadaver training.

      A dog destined for cadaver recovery must first be trained in basic obedience, and then in the search discipline of air scenting, which is used for finding human remains. Air scenting training takes place in large, wide-open spaces with buildings, piles of rubble, rocks, trees and water. A person plays the role of the victim or ̶0;subject,̶1; laying a trail for the dog to follow and hiding to be found at the end.

    HRD Training Techniques

    • HRD dogs learn to recover human remains in wilderness environments.

      This category is for dogs that are trained to detect fresh or decomposing human remains, and includes dogs cross-trained in avalanche, wilderness and water searches. If a dog has been pre-trained in wilderness searches that require locating live missing people, the trainer uses a different search command for remains than is used to find live people. The training includes the use of material such as bones or teeth recovered from a human cadaver, or a pseudoscent, which is a surrogate scent used in dog training activities. The remains are placed in a container with holes to enable the release of the scent. A piece of plastic pipe may be used for this purpose, and it can also be thrown to encourage the dog to fetch it during training, generating excitement and reward for the dog.

    Forensic Search Training Techniques

    • Forensic search dogs are trained to unearth buried remains.

      The forensic search dog is required to make a recovery based on a scent sourced from decomposing human tissue only. These dogs are used by law enforcement to gather evidence. A technique that is used for training of the forensic search dog is that of locating buried remains. This is done by burying training material and teaching the dog that it may be required to dig to locate materials.

    Disaster Search Training Techniques

    • A dog searches through rubble after a tornado in Alabama.

      Simulated disaster areas are used in the training of a disaster recovery dogs. These include collapsed structures and salvage yards, which give the dog the chance to become accustomed to loud noises, debris and the presence of heavy equipment. Obstacles are set up, such as ladders and planks at odd angles, bed springs and stacks of old boxes, to teach the dog to be agile in a disaster environment.

    Water Search Training Techniques

    • A water search dog learns to look for bodily materials in water.

      Searching for a missing body in a water environment is done by dogs trained specifically for this task. The water search dog spends time in the water with a human, and this teaches it that humans are slowed down by water. A diver working with the dog is dressed in a wet suit, so that the dog is not frightened by the sight of aquatic gear. The dog sees the diver enter the water and learns that a human can sink and disappear in water.