RCMP Explosive Detection Certification

715-235-6502

EXPLOSIVE DETECTION

1. Dog Handlers working with a P.S. Dog search for explosive devices concealed outdoors or in buildings, conveyance vehicles, and luggage/freight.

2. These sessions will prepare the student teams to search efficiently for explosive devices concealed in a variety of containers in areas mentioned in the task. As mentioned previously in this C.T.S., explosive detection teams are given 85 working days general duty training and then are given an additional 10 working days explosive detection training in an airport environment. Scent association to the various explosives as well as the "sit" confirmation are established prior to going "on site". The additional 10 working days "on site" training consist of:

Airport familiarization

Conditioning searches for a variety of explosives

Candidates for Explosive Detection training will attend the Explosives Familiarization Course put on by members of Explosive Disposal and Technology Branch in Ottawa (BR3507).

Following completion of training, candidate teams' abilities are monitored through the following: (1) sixmonth follow up to training, (2) in-service explosives training, and (3) annual field validations.

3. The lecture, developmental discussion with demonstration/ performance methods of instruction will be used and will cover:

(a) Safety of the Dog Handler

non-static clothing, footwear
caution regarding "boobtraps"
use of gloves
n.g. poisoning

(b) Safety of the P.S. Dog

on leash in traffic areas
not letting dog come in contact with or ingest
explosives
not letting dog touch parcels etc.

using small quantities
not using 50% stumping powder
rotating explosives every two months or sooner if deterioration is noted
not using blasting caps
storing explosives in approved magazine
marking containers "RCMP"
not putting hides near heat sources
recording hides in note book and check off when they are removed
watching hides to prevent them from being stolen
consequences of improper handling or storage

(d) Types of explosives used

N.G. based explosives
T.N.T. based explosives
P.E.T.N.
R.D.X.
powders
variety of det. cord and safety
fuse
variety of Slurry
new products that come on the market

(e) Proper familiarization

airport terminal
airport parking areas
aircraft - all types
cargo areas
elevators
escalators
crowds of people
ensuring the dog is "comfortable" in all areas

(f) The "SIT" confirmation and reward

dog indicating explosives
dog pursuing to scent source
dog being given "SIT" command, enforcing if necessary ensuring full sit
quickly rewarding the dog and praise
always using the same reward article
allowing the dog to see with his "nose" only

3. (g) Searching on line

2 meter leash
using line for direction
line being used for safety reasons

(h) Progression and conditioning of the dog

starting with N.G. based explosive
freshly cut stick of explosive
concealing explosive in sight of the dog using "hide and seek" method and dog's natural
retrieving desire
hide of minimal difficulty
dog locates, "SIT", praise and reward repetition
increasing degree of difficulty in hides
progressing at the dog's speed
caution - progressing too fast

(i) Building searches

all buildings located on airport property (commercial/industrial)
Searching most likely areas first
pattern and thorough search

(j) Outdoor searches

dog may be off leash
exercising caution when article located by dog

(k) Vehicles searches

searching exterior systematically
not opening doors, hood or trunk on threa
response
searches
allowing the dog to search along door, hood and trunk cracks
doing interior on pre-clearance searches

(l) Aircraft searches

searching most likely places first
pattern search of seats

(m) Baggage searching

contaminated suitcases
method of placing suitcases (lay flat)
where to search

3. (n) Suspicious parcels

not taking dog directly to parcel
searching another area for a few minutes and then
directing dog to parcel

(o) Degrees of Difficulty

Minimal
uninhabited premise
little or no distractions
minimal human scent contamination of area
explosive hide maximum of * metre above floor
explosive hide placed in partially opened drawer
explosive hide laying in the open outdoors
explosive hide placed in an open container

Medium
occupied premise
explosive hide placed maximum 2 metres above floor
human scent contamination of area
packaging - concealed but not air tight
distractions - people in the area
closed drawers
inside lockers
inside suitcases - nothing in suitcase but device

Maximum
working area - cargo shed - terminal building
packaging - explosive device wrapped and packaged in air tight container
contaminated suitcases containing device
explosive hide high above floor -above 2 metres
explosive device very well concealed
explosive device inside suitcase and suitcase placed in closed locker

(p) Equipment

collar (nylon)
leash - 2 metres
training aids
flashlight
disposable gloves or tongs
reward article

(q) Communication

command "SEARCH" & "BACK leash work
body movement
gestures
voice
tones and inflection

3. (r) Reading the dog

interpreting dog's indication
resting the dog when his interest wanes/fatigue
observing the dog at all times
interest vs. indication

(s) Distractions

people
vehicles
food stuffs animals or animal scent
noise
fuel fumes chemical fumes
garbage

(t) Common problems

progressing too fast with degrees of
difficulty
improper pattern
improper use of equipment-
"SIT" confirmation and reward
poor timing
too much/little praise
too much time spent with reward
not genuine/enthusiastic
induced by handler
communication
poor voice tones and inflection
too much talking to dog leading to false "SIT"
missing indications
not observing the dog
not properly reading the dog
dog's lack of interest
distractions

(u) Airport procedures

procedures pertinent to individual
airports hand search teams

(v) Federal and provincial legislation pertaining to explosives

(w) Use of EVD-1

(x) Daily training records

3. (y) ongoing training

Types and Criteria
six-month follow up
in-service explosive training
field validations
Conversion training

4. At the end of Level III, each candidate will be able to with the dog on leash:

Search a cargo area approximately 100 by 50 meters and locate an explosive device. The search will include:

(1) Normal cargo containers
(2) The “sit” confirmation
(3) Environmental distractions
(4) A minimum 20 minutes continuous search time

(B) Search a groomed or ungroomed aircraft and locate an explosive device. The search will include:

(1) Washroom area
(2) Seating area
(3) Overhead baggage area
(4) The “sit” confirmation
(5) A minimum 15 minutes continuous search time
(6) Environmental distractions

(1) Environmental distractions
(2) The “sit” confirmation
(3) A minimum 15 minutes continuous search time

D) Search a rwo of 25 assorted suitcases and locate an explosive device. The search will include:

(1) Indoors/Outdoors
(2) Environmental distractions
(3) The “sit” confirmation
(4) A minimum 10 minutes continuous search time

(E) Search a standard size passenger vehicle inside and out and locate an explosive device. The search will include:

(1) Minimum 20 vehicles in search
(2) Environmental distractions
(3) The “sit” confirmation
(4) A minimum 20 minutes continuous search time

4. (F) Search inside an airport terminal building and locate an explosive device. The search will include:

(1) Package or hand luggage
(2) Seating/waiting room/washroom area
(3) Environmental distractions
(4) The “sit” confirmation
(5) A minimum 5 minutes continuous search time

5. Cross References

Scent
Continued Training
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