Developing the Second Generation of Improvised Explosive Device Detector Dog
Abstract
A number of approaches have been used to detect the presence of Improvised Explosive Devices before they detonate. One option taken by the U.S. Marine Corps has been the deployment of improvised explosive device detection dogs (IDDs). The IDD program relies on unique off-leash dog and handler teams, and uses hunt-bloodline, field-trial trained Labrador Retrievers exclusively. The research described in this report represents an important multidisciplinary effort to better characterize stress responses, cognition, and olfaction in Labrador Retrievers, drawing on the expertise of North Carolina State University (NCSU) College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) scientists with research and clinical backgrounds in veterinary behavior, nasal toxicology, laboratory animal medicine, olfaction, and behavioral sciences. Research was performed in controlled laboratory experiments and field studies and consisted of ten distinct research phases Phase I. Evaluation of the USMC Emotional Reactivity Test Phase II. Development of an Open Field Anxiety Test Phase III. Object Discrimination Phase IV. Delayed Non Match to Position (DNMP) Phase V. Olfactory Discrimination Phase VI. Cognitive Bias Phase VII. Application of Remote Telemetry to a Novel Open Field Test of Olfaction Phase VIII. The Role of Olfactory Priming on the Detection of C4 Phase IX. Soil Depth and its Impact on Odor Detection in Dogs Phase X. Pilot Studies Examining Proton Pump Inhibitor Effects on Canine Olfaction This work resulted in an improved understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the Emotional Reactivity Test (ERT), a primary tool used by the USMC to select candidate IDDs. Our research identified areas where the ERT was a highly effective test instrument, but also showed that the ERT was less effective as a tool for screening dogs for cognitive or olfactory abilities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 15, 2013
- Accession Number
- ADA586037
Entities
People
- Amanda Jeffries
- Barbara Sherman
- Beth Case
- David C. Dorman
- Lucia Lazarowski
- Margaret Gruen
- Melanie L. Foster
- Richard Fish
Organizations
- North Carolina State University