Breakout Session 4 B: Explosives and Contraband Detection

The objective of DHS S&T’s Regional Explosives Detection Dog Initiative (REDDI) is to use classroom instruction, odor recognition trials, and operational search scenarios to advance the capabilities of our nation’s explosives detection canine teams while gathering data to help identify (and inform resolution of) widespread challenges and weaknesses. To date, 29 events have been hosted across the United States, impacting over 450 canine teams from over 200 departments.
One longstanding topic of discussion with the participating handlers is the need to consider and pursue realism in routine training. In this context, the focus is on the concentration of odor that is anticipated to reflect what is achieved by authentic threat devices. Parameters that may be able to be manipulated for this purpose are discussed, and include surface area of the target material and its degree of concealment/containment. Practical examples will be given. Further, analytical results from various single-based smokeless powder samples will be provided, including comparison of the output from typical training aids to the output of realistic threat configurations. Finally, simple tactics that handlers can employ in order to manipulate output from their training aids will be shown and proven.