Thank you for visiting the homepage of the Scientific Working Group on Dog and Orthogonal Detection Guidelines (SWGDOG). Please check back often for updates and the latest news. SWGDOG is a partnership of local, state, federal and international agencies including private vendors, law enforcement and first responders. It is expected that establishing consensus based best practices for the use of detection teams will have many benefits including to local law enforcement and homeland security via improve interdiction as well as courtroom acceptance by improving the consistency and performance of deployed detector dogs and optimizing their combination with electronic detection devices. Attached is a copy of a talk presented on September 1, 2004 at the International Explosives Detection Canine Conference, in New Orleans which explains some of the history and goals of this SWG.

 

The SWGDOG will consist of up to 50 members with biannual meetings for the first two years and SWGDOG meetings convening biennially afterwards. We are now accepting nominations for membership on SWGDOG. We are seeking volunteers who have expertise in one or more of the SWGDOG subcommittee areas listed below and who are willing to actively participate in developing consensus best practice guidelines. In addition to subcommittee and full SWGDOG meeting, all draft guidelines will be made available to the entire community via the internet for input. If you are interested in participating, please contact Dr. Douglas Heller, IFRI Program Manager, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, CP-345, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199. Tel: (305)348-2292; Fax (305)348-3772; Email: hellerd@fiu.edu

 

Draft SWGDOG Subcommittees

·        Unification of terminology

·        Minimum training, certification, and maintenance standards

·        Selection of serviceable dogs, replacement system, and breeding

·        Kenneling, keeping, and health care

·        Selection and training of handlers and instructors

·        Procedures on presenting evidence in court

·        Current state of technology and research needs

·        Optimal combination of instruments and detector dogs

·        Training and certification of arson dogs

·        Training and certification of drug detector dogs

·        Training and certification of explosive detector dogs

·        Training and certification of human remains detector dogs

·        Training and certification of scent identification dogs

·        Training and certification of tracking dogs

 

Than you for your interest in SWGDOG and we look forward to productive meetings towards the development of consensus best practices that will advance and improve our profession.

 

Best regards,

Kenneth G. Furton, PhD, CChem, MRSC

International Forensic Research Institute

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Florida International University

University Park

Miami, FL 33199

305-348-2292 (Tel)  305-348-3772 (Fax) 

Karen L. Overall, MA, VMD, PhD

Center for Neurobiology and Behavior

Psychiatry Department

Penn Med

415 Curie Blvd.

Philadelphia, PA 19104

215-573-2893 (Tel)  610-399-4860 (Fax)