Dynamic canine tracking method for hazardous and illicit substances

• US 8,959,982 B2
• Filed: 12/26/2013
• Issued: 02/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Auburn University
• Original Assignee: Auburn University
• Inventors: Pearce, John, Waggoner, L. Paul, Brock, Jeanne S., Baird, Timothy, Baffa, David A., McAfee, Daniel, Leonard, Robert E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Swiatek, Rob
• Assistant Examiner(s): TSANG, LISA L
• Application Number:
  US14/141,199
• Publication Number:
  US 20140102380A1
• Time in Patent Office: 425 Days
• Field of Search: 119/417, 119/420, 119/421, 119/174, 119/905, 119/712, 73/233.4, 73/232, 73/234, 73/234.2, 738/643.3, 738/658
• US Class Current: 73/23.34
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/00 Devices for taming animals, e.g. nose-rings or hobbles; Devices for overturning animals in general; Training or exercising equipment; Covering boxes
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 15/02 Training or exercising equipment, e.g. mazes or labyrinths for animals A01K15/04 takes precedence; Electric shock devices circuits therefor H03K3/537; Toys specially adapted for animals
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 27/003 Leads, leashes
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 11/132 Biological systems, e.g. with detection by animals or plants
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/00 Means of attack or defence not otherwise provided for details of radar or sonar systems G01S7/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/0001 by organoleptic means

Abstract

Vapor wake detection is a highly advantageous method and system for detecting explosives and other illicit substances. With vapor wake detection, a canine and a handler are used; however, unlike other detection schemes, the canine leads the handler. After the handler positions the canine in a desired location, the canine detects scents in the air that come to the canine. When the canine detects a trained scent, the canine leads the handler to or follows behind the carrier of the item with the scent. Once the carrier is identified by the handler, the proper personnel are contacted. To implement vapor wake detection effectively, specific rigorous training is utilized.

Claims

1. A method of training a canine for detection, the method comprising:

choosing a detector canine that demonstrates a high level of independent search behavior;

teaching the detector canine that a source of a target odor is not limited to stationary objects, and teaching the detector canine to not search stationary objects, wherein the source of the target odor is a hazardous or illicit substance;

teaching the detector canine to follow a vapor-wake of a moving target, wherein the vapor-wake includes the target odor of the moving target;

teaching the detector canine to sample air currents; and

teaching the detector canine to follow the vapor-wake to the target and give a final response.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the choosing of the detector canine that demonstrates a high level of independent search behavior further includes choosing the canine that is motivated, to sniff and search independently in a manner to disguise a handlers.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the choosing of the detector canine that demonstrates a high level of independent search behavior further includes choosing the canine that is not overly sociable.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further includes teaching the detector canine to search the air for a vapor trail or a scent pool of the target odor generated by the moving or stationary target.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further includes teaching the detector canine to accommodate dissipation of the target odor over time.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising teaching the detector canine to lead a handler to the source of the target odor, where the source of the target odor comes within a detectable range of the detector canine.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising documenting the detector canine'"'"'s sniffing capabilities.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising choosing the detector canine that passes a medical examination.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the medical examination includes testing for dexterity and freedom from bone, joint and musculature pathologies.

10. A method of training a detector canine that is not overly sociable and demonstrates a high level of independent search behavior, the method comprising:

teaching the detector canine that a source of a target odor is not limited to stationary objects, and teaching the detector canine to not search stationary objects, wherein the source of the target odor is a hazardous or illicit substance;

teaching the detector canine to follow a vapor-wake of a moving target, wherein the vapor-wake includes the target odor of the moving target;

teaching the detector canine to sample air currents; and

teaching the detector canine to search the air for vapor trails or scent pools of the target odor generated by a moving or stationary target.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising teaching the detector canine to lead a handler to the source of the target odor, where the source of the target odor comes within a detectable range of the detector canine, and give a final response.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising teaching the detector canine to follow the vapor-wake to the target and give a final response.