Bill Syrotuck’s book, “Scent and the Scenting Dog” explains in great detail his theory of how dogs follow the scent of a human and find them. He theorizes that we all shed dead skin cells at the rate of about 40,000 per minute. Those cells are shed in groups of from one to several cells stuck together. They usually have one or several cells on them that make their living by eating (the technical term is putrefy) the dead skin cells.

The dead skin cells have a characteristic odor specific to the human and the cells eating them release a gas that also has an odor that is specific to that human.

Like many theories it’s just that, a theory. Until it’s proven it’s just a way to explain how things work.

At one time there was a theory that the earth was flat and then an opposing theory that it was round. For a long time we had quite a bit of evidence to support the theory that the earth was round, but we didn’t have proof. Now we have photos taken from space and even the youngest school child knows that the earth is round.

Syrotuck’s theory is still just a theory but I haven’t found anything that conflicts with it in the world of using dogs to find humans so I’ll use it as I’ve used it since my start in K9’s, over twenty years ago.

I’ve testified to it probably more than a dozen times and no “legal beagle” has yet to make a jury believe anything else. It’s still just a theory, but until something better comes along or it’s disproved, I’ll use it.

Let’s keep in mind that in spite of the fact that we’ve split the atom, use nuclear power and make nuclear bombs, “atomic theory” is just that, another theory.

Posters: I think the application of techniques used to find subjects would depend upon the situation as it becomes clear to the handler. Scent discrimination trail techniques allow the handler to bring the "crime scene" w/him/her and also allows for scent transfer when the primary team becomes exhausted etc. At ground zero I did not apply the "discrimination theory for obvious reasons-different mission. I do believe, in my pea brain, that being knowledgeable in different styles, techniques and their application thereof makes for a team which will be more flexible for any tactical situation. When it's time to rock and roll, it's not time to waltz. Every time one uses a technique based on training, I would presume that there MIGHT be an application of some theory involved. Some of these theories are suported by concurrent results while others are only proven to be bridesmaids. Every application of that theory serves to provide a one of several validity steps. Whether trailing, air scenting or tracking; all the posters are correct in that a handler must be able to support his application of technique used for the situation at hand. Mr. K. S. is very correct re: evidence and testimony. Ole Uncle Lou is from my era where we took what worked and over the years??!! actually applied and proved some one else'philosophy. Ha! Scent discussions are never ending. I told a gentleman last week at the TSA to build a giant battery powered dog nose to cut down on the false positives w/their million dollar machines. Great theory to save money but I do not think it would work--decomposition and all. IMHO Repectfully, DLC

It's interesting that people start talking about dead skin cells when it comes to trailing. Isn't it said or proven that when human flesh decays it no longer has an individual odor, but takes on the same odor as any other cadaver or decomposing human remains. So if this "skin rafts" theory says they are following an individuals scent, there is a big hole in that. I would think they are following a trail of cadaver material if that's the way it works.