I had a little discussion with some of the people on the SAR team. I feel that a dogs scenting ability goes way down if the temp is below freezing. I'm not talking about hot scent, but buried cadaver. Particularly, skelectal remains buried in frozen ground. I'd be interested in opinions on this subject.

No opinion, it is a fact.

Moisture affects strength of odor, it also affects the ability of odor particles to get into the air. If all the particles are frozen in the moisture surrounding the object the scent isn't going to be as strong because fewer particles are oozing into the air. Cold slows everything down.

Heat on the other hand increases the amount of odor. Smell a frozen hotdog and then smell a raw cold one. Huge difference right?


I don't really know the exact science behind it, but it has to do with the fact that molecules move slower when cold. All the chemical reactions, all the surface area of the item, all the decay involved, it is all slowed down or stopped.

Only dry particles/gases can get into the nose of the dogs. . .providing that the air currents are helpful.


Heres a fun tip that I heard a elk hunter give. He said that even if the weather is below freezing there is some scent. But it is hard for the dog to pick up. So if you have a trail to pick up in the cold you should do it first thing in the morning as the first rays of sun hit the ground. He said that even though it still may be cold, there will be a little change in temperature on the ground and the dog may have a better chance at picking up the track.

Whether thats total BS or not, I couldn't tell you. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Bob,
Are you saying that the dog's olfactory system is physically affected by the cold, or that the remains wouldn't give off much scent under the conditions you've described? One is "scenting ability", and one is the "scent picture".

There are a lot more variables that could factor in to the total scent picture than simply the nature of the remains and the temperature. For example, are the remains a small amount enclosed in a scent tube or container, or is it a basically intact skeleton from a human body that decomposed in that spot? How long have the remains been there? How old are they? Is it a dry type of soil with good drainage or a soil with a high moisture content? Is there snow on the ground, or is it bare dirt? Is there any vegetation? How far below freezing is the temperature? How deep are the remains buried? How deeply did the ground freeze? Is the area exposed to sunlight, or is it mostly shaded? What time of day are you working it? What's the air doing?

I would think that *in general* skeletal remains produce less scent than tissue (of course that's relative; an entire skeleton might produce more odor than a very tiny piece of tissue or a single drop of blood), and that less scent is available at very cold or very hot temperatures vs. moderate temps.

Lisa, I'm talking more about the scent picture. Her's the scenerio. Two bodies buried 20+yrs ago, 3ft deep, close to river with one flood since they were buried. 3ft of sandy soil deposited 0n top during the flood. Temp was 12-16 degrees, slightly windy when we were asked to do the search. I've hunted with good rabbit dogs that have run right over the top of rabbits during 10F weather. My own personel thoughts is the conditions were to bad for a search at this particular time. We've got some great dogs on the team..BUT!

VC, I agree about the early morning sun lifting the scent but, again, with these contitions I mentioned, I think it's a looser at least till spring. Sure would like to be proven wrong though. The've been there 20+ now. I don't think the're going anywhere soon.

No, those conditions do not sound very favorable for a find.

Are they (I'm assuming you're working with LE on this?) reasonably certain that there are bodies around there somewhere, or are they hoping to gain more information? Is it a homicide investigation? Sometimes the pressure of just knowing that search dogs are being used can make a suspect nervous enough to make mistakes, or make people come forward with information. If that's what they want to use you for, you might consider doing the search, but be sure to explain to them that the conditions do not favor a successful find, and let them know that you're willing to try again when the conditions are more favorable. Don't get their hopes up and don't blow smoke up their @$$, just be honest about it. Just a thought.

....or did you already do the search?

We only work with LEOs. Missouri HP in this instance. Yes, they know the aprox location. Long story because of ongoing legal BS but the HP would rather find the bodies than make a deal with the guy. He's in prison in another state.

We've explained our limitations but I think they still would like to see an effort. It will be an 8-9hr drive for nothing more than PR work :rolleyes: . The've been impressed with us with 5-6 cases we've helped them with the past year.

Sounds interesting, Bob. Have fun.