Canadian
canine search corps
Historical Human Remains Detection Dogs
CCSC has been involved in numerous searches at the sites of former residential schools throughout Western Canada.
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Specialized training results in our dogs being able to detect trace amounts of human decomposition buried deep below ground as it travels to the surface from gravesites over 100 years old.
HHRDD
Historical Human Remains Detection Dogs (HHRDD) are specially trained to detect, locate and alert on odours that result from the decomposition of buried human remains.
Trained Final Response
HHRDD are trained to give a “trained final response” (TFR) or alert where the odour of human remains is most concentrated at the surface.
Odour Pathways
Decomposition odour travels to the surface along the path of least resistance. Factors such as soil composition, compaction, water presence, topography, burrowing animals, and root systems can cause odour to shift horizontally before reaching the surface. As a result, HHRDD may alert where the odour emerges, which may not be directly above the body.
Terrain Versatility
HHRDD are highly capable of covering large land areas in various challenging terrains (e.g., thick brush, dense woods, water, and steep slopes) in a relatively short period of time.
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Depth and Age of Detection
HHRDD can detect buried human remains that are hundreds of years old, and in some cases, detect remains buried as deep as 15 feet, depending on soil composition.
Challenges in Dense Burial Areas
The presence of multiple human remains buried in close proximity can create challenges to accurately identify the number of remains, as odours may mix together while traveling underground before surfacing.
Cost-Effectiveness
Utilizing HHRDD has proven to be a cost-effective method for increasing the likelihood of determining the presence of human remains within a search area.