To facilitate the rapid response of scientific results for border security operations, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Laboratories and Scientific Services (LSS) established the Forward Operating Laboratories program. This unique initiative fuses scientific expertise with frontline operations to provide on-site, rapid forensic support by co-locating LSS scientists with CBP officers/agents, both along the southwest land border and in major cities to provide presumptive drug testing, latent print processing/examinations, and digital forensic analysis. By expanding this access to reliable, accurate forensic science services, LSS contributes to more efficient testing and investigative workflows, quicker identifications of novel drugs, and the development of actionable intelligence. Additionally, these efforts are enhanced by the detection and characterization of new and emerging drug threats through the LSS INTERDICT Science Center and provides 24/7 radiological and narcotics reachback services through the LSS Teleforensic Center.
CBP also maintains one of the largest canine programs, with more than 1,500 canine teams deployed at and between U.S. ports of entry that are trained to detect concealed humans, narcotics, firearms, currency, as well as prohibited agriculture items and human remains. Canine training aids play an important role in the initial certification and the continuous proficiency testing of canines deployed for field operations. LSS is the agency’s scientific and technical arm that tests and produces the materials used for narcotics training aids. LSS has established strong partnerships with CBP’s canine programs to evaluate the quality and performance of training aids, both in the lab and through canine field trials, to strengthen CBP’s drug detection capabilities. LSS assessments of the chemical odor profiles of fentanyl and other emerging drug threats is contributing to CBP’s development of best practices, expansion of interdiction capabilities, and the selection of appropriate training aid materials. This presentation will provide an overview of CBP’s canine detection programs and discuss opportunities for forensic laboratories to collaborate with their local canine detection teams to advance the implementation of scientific and evidence-based practices.