DOGS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT
“COMMITTED TO THE WORKING DOG TEAM”
EXPLOSIVE DETECTION TEST
This explosive detection certification is a two (2) part certification designed to determine the proficiency and reliability of the dog team in the detection of explosives. The first part of the certification is the Odor Recognition Test, which must be passed prior to moving onto the second part of the certification, the practical test. The general rules for testing explosive detection dogs will be as follows:
1. The term “explosive aid” will mean any explosive substance used for certification testing.
2. All canine teams must be tested on all basic explosive odors, which are:
a. Powders (Black, Smokeless and/or Pyrodex)
b. Commercial Dynamite (AN or NG) or Ammonium Nitrate
c. (RDX) Plastic Explosive (C-4 or Flex-X) Semtex, A5
d. T.N.T or Military Dynamite or Comp B
e. (PETN) Primer Cord or Det Cord – Sheet Explosives (or substituted explosive with PETN, Master Trainer Discretion)
f. Water-Gel or Slurries and Emulsion
3. Due to the increase of training aids which are not actual explosives, such as ScentLogix™, DLE will allow certifications on ScentLogix™ training aids.
4. However, due to the availability of actual black powder, double base smokeless powder, single based smokeless powder, and photoflash/fireworks/pyrotechnic powders, may be part of the certification.
5. Every effort shall be made to train on actual explosives and chemicals used in the making of explosives.
6. The training aids shall be stored in accordance with local, state and federal regulations. Mandatory Test Areas:
The canine team will be tested in four (4) areas which are the following:
a) Building
b) Vehicles
c) Baggage
d) Open Area
Test Rules:
1. All testing will be done on a pass/fail basis.
2. All rulings by the Master Trainer are final.
3. The minimum acceptable level required to pass is 91.6%, as defined by the DLE explosive detection rules.
4. No electronic collar will be permitted to be worn by the canine during Explosive Detection certification or training regardless whether or not it is active or inactive.
5. To successfully test for certification the canine team cannot miss more than one (1) explosive aid in all phases of testing.
6. A “team miss” is defined as any incorrect response by the canine team and more than one (1) constitutes a team failure. This includes but is not limited to:
a. All improper responses (such as the dog giving its final trained response to non- explosive odor).
b. Failure to detect the explosive aid (includes when the handler fails to direct the canine to search the area where the explosive aid is hidden).
c. The canine exhibiting any aggressive response.
d. Opening of any closed doors, drawers or containers of any kind by either the handler or canine.
7. It is recommended that testing be administered over a two (2) day period or more.
8. All aids will be placed at least twenty (20) minutes prior to the testing of the canine team.
2 | P a g e 9. No detonating devices will be allowed to be used for testing or be placed with the explosive training aids.
10. All handling of explosive training aids will be done in a safe manner.
11. A human and/or canine will be walked through the testing area before testing begins.
12. All explosive aids used in testing should be actual explosive of recent manufacture and in separate containers.
13. It will be the responsibility of the agencies being tested to provide the required explosive aids.
14. Strict safety measures will be upheld during testing.
15. All explosive aids will be placed in such a manner that the dog cannot touch or retrieve same.
Phase 1: Explosive Odor Recognition Test (Mandatory):
The odor recognition certification is conducted to determine the canines’ ability to distinguish between explosive odor and distracter odors.
1. The test will include, but not be limited to, at least one (1) explosive odor from each of the six (6) basic odor groups.
2. The test areas will have one (1) distracter odor to one (1) explosive odor.
3. The distracter odors and explosive odors will be a minimum of five (5) feet apart.
4. The Master Trainer can either set up blocks, cans, drawers, or boxes to conduct the odor recognition test.
Phase 2: The Practical Test (Mandatory):
Practical testing is to determine the handlers’ decision-making ability in reading his canine partner in the following four (4) mandatory areas:
Building Search (Mandatory):
3 | P a g e 1. The canine team will be designated to search buildings which will consist of a minimum of at least one (1) hallway and rooms.
2. Each room will be a minimum of 400 square feet in size and contain some type of furniture.
3. Each room may or may not contain an explosive aid.
4. There will never be more than one (1) explosive aid in a room.
5. The explosive aids will be placed anywhere from eight (8) feet high to ground level.
Vehicle Search (Mandatory):
1. Master Trainer will determine the number of vehicles to be used for the certification.
2. Any type or model of passenger vehicle, including pickup trucks, tractor-trailers, vans, buses, mass transit vehicles, watercraft or aircraft may be utilized for testing (subject to availability).
3. The vehicles will be parked in a configuration similar to a parking lot in order to allow access to each vehicle, by the canine team being tested.
4. Only one (1) explosive aid per vehicle.
5. Additional explosive aids will be placed on or within the vehicles at the discretion of the Master Trainer; recommended but not limited to:
a. Fuel tank exterior or fuel filler pipe.
b. Drive shaft.
c. Engine compartment.
d. Interior of closed trunk compartment.
e. Closed passenger compartment.
f. Undercarriage.
g. Outer body.
h. No interior searches for hides
i. Wheel house-watercraft
4 | P a g e j. Cabin-watercraft
k. Engine Room-watercraft
l. Cargo compartment-watercraft
m. Open deck area-watercraft
Baggage Search (Mandatory):
1. The type of baggage utilized for testing will be defined as hard and soft-shell suitcases, attaché, cases, clothing bags, briefcases, golf bags, sea bags, duffel bags, boxes, parcels, and any other containers used for the transport of personal items or shipping purposes.
2. The Master Trainer will have ultimate discretion over the types of bags utilized for testing.
3. Master Trainer will determine the number of bags to be used for the certification.
4. All explosive aids will be secured within each bag utilized for testing.
5. One (1) or more bags should contain clothing or other items associated with the types of baggage used.
6. The Master Trainer will determine how the baggage will be placed.
Open Area Search:
1. Open area search shall be defined as:
a. Building Exteriors
b. Open fields
c. Wooded areas
d. Any area outside not covered in the above
2. The Master Trainer will determine the size of the Open Area to be searched.
3. The Master Trainer will have the discretion as whether or not an explosive aid is placed in the search area.
5 | P a g e 4. If an explosive aid is utilized then the Master Trainer has the discretion to place an explosive aid from one (1) foot below surface level to a maximum of eight (8) feet above surface level.
6 | P a g e