Cadaver Dog Handbook: Forensic Training and Tactics for the Recovery of Human Remains 

Intended for those who train and handle cadaver dogs, this book also encompasses information for those who work closely with them, such as police, death investigators, and anthropologists. Its interdisciplinary approach is useful to any member of a forensic team who regularly participates in or evaluates the results of the human remains search effort. It is organized so that forensic specialists who are not themselves dog handlers will be able to access information about search techniques, contexts and documentation. Conversely, individuals interested primarily in training and handling will be able to focus on chapters devoted specifically to these subjects or expand their expertise to include more of the forensic framework.

Introduction, Definition of Cadaver Dogs
A Brief History of Cadaver Dogs
Purpose of This Book
Overview of Book Topics and Organization
Dog Basics
The Working Dog
Dog Noses and Dog Brains
Scent Theory and Canine Olfaction
Scent and the Environment
Temperature, Wind
Barriers to Scent Conduction
Conduit of Scent Conduction
Limits of Cadaver Dogs and Scent Detection
Training the Cadaver Dog
Selection of a Dog to Train
Handler Skills Needed
When and How to Begin
Training Basics: How to Talk to Your Dog
Training Without Punishment
Reading the Dog
Training Progression
Phase I-Scent Recognition and commitment to the target odor
Phase II-Small Area Search With the Source Hidden From the Dog
Phase III-Small Area Search for a Buried Source
Phase IV-Small Area Search for a Hanging Object
Phase V-Large Area Search for an Above-Surface Source
Phase VI-Large Area Search for a Buried Source
Phase VII-Negative Area Search
Phase VIII-Blind Area Search
Phase IX-Test
Training Scenarios
Ongoing Training Regime
Frequently Asked Questions
Training Materials
Use and Handling of Training Aids
Natural Scent, Artificial Scent
Simulating the Scene and Creating Hides
Professional Issues, Standardization and Certification
Ethics and Professional Conduct
Levels of Certainty and Conclusions Reached
Record Keeping
Evaluating the Qualifications of an Unknown Dog Handler Team
Testifying in Court Legal Issues
Search and Seizure
Rules of Evidence Law and the Evidence Canine
Handling a Search Request
Evaluating the Feasibility of the Search
Evaluating the Appropriateness of Using a Particular Handler or Canine
Scheduling a Search: Season, Time Weather
Promises and Deliverables, When to Say No
Planning the Search, The Search
Types of Searches
Forensic Contexts; Physical Contexts: Land, Water, etc.
Use of Remote Sensing
Use of Technical Location and Mapping Aids
Who is in Charge
Functioning as Part of a Team
Evidence Discovery
Evidence Documentation
Evidence Recovery
Conclusions: When and How to Communicate Them
Behind the Scenes: Taphonomy
Postmortem Processes
Decomposition and Skeletonization
Disarticulation
Scavenger Modification
Search Strategies for Disarticulated Remains
Working With the Anthropologist
At the Scene
Acclimating the Dog to the Scene
Motivating the Dog
Assessing the Scene: Search Patterns
Refining Search Strategy
Periodic Reinforcement
On-Site Guidelines
Documenting the Search
Land Searches
Search Planning Conducting the Search
Special Search Situations
Spot Searches
Hasty, Non-Thorough Searches
Roadsides, Landfill , Swamp
Wilderness and Forest Strategies
Disarticulated Remains
Dismembered Remains
Water Searches (Marcia Koenig)
Handler Strategies
Type of Drowning-Dry or Wet
Decomposition Process
Selection of Boats
Working a Search Area
Response Time
General Suggestions
Suggestions for Working Rivers
Suggestions for Working Lakes
Water Conditions
Conclusion
Bibliography Index List of Figures and Tables
Glossary Appendix A: Resources Training Aids and Equipment Continuing Education Opportunities Professional Organizations Appendix B: Document Examples Search Report Example A Search Report Example B Handler Resume Example A Handler Resume Example B Canine Resume Example Training Record Example A Training Record Example B Proficiency Test Example

A. Rebmann, et al., CRC Press, 2000, 232 pp., hard cover