FIREARMS DETECTION TEST
This test will determine the proficiency and reliability of dogs in the detection of firearms and related odors.
All canine teams must be tested on FOUR out of the five basic odors. The basic odors to be tested on are:
- Firearms (cleaned and recently fired) *Required Scent
- Magazines (loaded and empty) *Required Scent
- Shells (brass and shotgun) *Required Scent
- Gun Powders- both black and smokeless
- Shell casings (which are empty and have been previously discharged)
The maximum weight of powders used shall be four ounces. Each area tested will contain a minimum one aids and a maximum of three aids with each aid being a different basic odor. The handler will not be told the number or type of basic odors they are searching for.
Five areas will be provided for testing. The canine team will be tested in four of the five areas. The canine team must search the areas of Building, Vehicles and Open Area. The fourth area will be either Baggage or Packages. The five (5) areas will be
Building
Vehicles
Open Area
Packages
Baggage
For certification the team CANNOT miss any aid in all phases of testing. A false indication is considered a miss and will cause the K-9 team to fail the test. All aids will be hidden at least thirty (30) minutes prior to testing. The term “aid” shall mean any firearm or related odor, which is used for testing purpose. If an aid has to be moved to a new location, the previously used area must be removed as a testing sight. Each handler shall brief the examining K-9 trainer as to the dogs alert and response to aids prior to testing and each indication to a training aid by the canine should be obvious to the examining K-9 trainer .The purpose of the testing is to observe the team’s ability to locate a hidden firearm or related odor. It should be noted that all aids might not be pinpointed to source due to height, wind current or placement of the aid.
It should be noted that normal training and retraining must be conducted to maintain and enhance the team’s capability.
STRICT SAFETY MEASURES SHALL BE UPHELD DURING TESTING !!
BUILDING SEARCH:
The building search will consist of a minimum of one room and a maximum of three rooms. Each room will be at least 144 square feet and have some type of items in it. Only one (1) aid may be placed in each room. One or more rooms should contain no aid(s). One aid must be placed high. The aid may be placed anywhere from eight (8) feet to ground level. The aids will be placed so the canine cannot retrieve same. The handler may not open cabinet doors, desk drawers, closet doors, etc.
VEHICLE SEARCH:
Four vehicles minimum with a maximum of twelve vehicles, of any type or model including pickup trucks, may be used. The vehicles will be parked in a park configuration so as to allow the team to have easy access to each vehicle. The aids will be placed so the canine cannot retrieve same. Only one aid may be placed on or in each vehicle. Additional aids will be placed at the discretion of the Trainer and may be placed, but not limited to:
1. Interior of closed trunk
2. Passenger compartment (closed)
3. Underside and outer body
OPEN AREA SEARCH:
Open area search shall be defined as:
1. Exterior of buildings
2. Open fields
3. Wooded area
4. Any area outside not covered in the above
Area to be no larger than seventy-five (75) yards by seventy-five (75) yards and no small than twenty five (25) yards by twenty five (25) yards or any configuration thereof. Aids will be placed at the discretion of the Trainer and can be placed anywhere from a minimum of one 6 inches below surface level to a maximum of six feet above surface level.
PACKAGES/BAGGAGE SEARCH:
Baggage shall be defined as hard and soft shell suitcases, attaché cases, clothes bags, briefcases, golf bags, sea bags, duffel bags, etc. Fifteen (15) bags minimum with a maximum of thirty (30) bags may be used. All aids will be placed inside the bags in a manner such that the canine cannot retrieve same.
Packages shall be defines as cardboard boxes, shipping envelopes, paper boxes and envelopes, or Express Mail type envelopes. Ten-package minimum with a maximum of thirty packages may be used. All aids will be placed inside packages such that canine cannot retrieve same.
All tests given the Firearms Detection Team will be on a pass/fail basis.
This certification is valid from one (1) year from date of issue.
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