Forensic Search Dogs
to Locate Body Fluids or Crime Scenes

This is an extremely new phenomena in the dog world and here at Dog Detectives we are pleased to have the pioneer in this field as a member of highly skilled staff. He has lectured at seminars around the world and currently is engaged in several high profile projects. Dogs that have been specially trained to locate blood and/or semen can assist other more recognised techniques in the search for vital evidence at the scene of a crime.

These dogs are especially effective when the actual scene is not known as they can quickly eliminate innocent areas. At present the only effective way to locate blood residue is by the use of luminol. The Crime Scene Investigator (CSI) sprays the area to be searched with luminol. This reacts with the haemoglobin in the blood to cause a reaction known as chemiluminescence. In short, this reaction causes the blood residue to glow when ultra violet light is shone on it.

In order to achieve this effect the area must be completely blacked out. This process has several drawbacks, firstly the CSI has to spray the correct area thoroughly and then the residue must be within line of sight of the operator. In addition the fact the area has to be in complete darkness precludes exterior searches.

The whole process is costly in terms of time and expense. Luminol also has other limitations in that it can destroy other vital evidence and innocent substances, such as household bleach can give the "false positives". In this respect a specially trained dog provides the solution.

Because the dog searches an area three dimensionally and only targets a specific scent it is able to eliminate "false positive" indications The search for semen presents the CSI with the same problems as the search for blood. At present semen is detected by using "black light".

Semen contains a phosphorus element which glows when subjected to "black light". This is the same principle as a white shirt glowing in a disco. However, like with blood, other innocent substances such as a highlighter pen mark, also give the same reaction.

The use of trained dogs provides the investigator with the ultimate search tool. Dogs are able to search any area, interior or exterior (not available using existing search methods) and are able to provide pinpoint accuracy thus enabling the CSI to use their skills in recovering the samples.

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