Q: I read in the AJC where cadaver dogs were used in the recent body search at Lake Lanier. How can these dogs help locate a body that is in water more than 100 feet deep? Also, where are these dogs trained?
—William McKee Jr., Flowery Branch
A: Cadaver dogs, also referred to as human remains detection (HRD) dogs, are trained to detect human scent, which rises from the cooler depths until it surfaces, where the dogs can detect it. "The longer a deceased person is underwater, the stronger the scent, thus the more scent comes to the surface of the water, increasing the odds the dog will detect the scent," Tracy "Trace" Sargent, owner of K9 Search & Rescue Specialists in Cedartown, told Q&A on the News in an email. She has been requested to assist in more than 900 searches throughout the world. Sargent said cadaver dogs can pinpoint areas to search for submerged bodies, but added that the bodies can be hundreds of feet away due to "water temperatures, wind conditions, underwater currents, moving boats," among other reasons. Dogs most often are trained by their owners or handlers, Sargent said. "Many handlers attend seminars or conferences to obtain the necessary knowledge, information and skills to train HRD dogs," she said. Younger handlers often are mentored by more experienced ones, she said. Additionally, "HRD dogs are often tested and certified prior to being utilized on searches," Sargent said.
Andy Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We'll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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