HISTORY of ACCELERANT CANINE PROGRAM
In 1980, a feasibility study was conducted to test a canines' ability to locate and give a specific response to the odor of ignitable liquids. The study progressed into a project program, and in 1986, the world's first Accelerant Detection Canine, a black Labrador Retriever named Mattie, was trained through the combined efforts of the Guide Dog Foundation, Connecticut State Police and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF). The success of the program and the capability of the canine far exceeded any expectations.
Canines can pinpoint traces that escape electronic detection. Mechanical hydrocarbon detectors are sensitive to gasoline components in parts per million (ppm). The smallest amount detectable by dogs is .01 micro liters, or 1,000th of a drop, of 50% evaporated gasoline, 100% of the time. Also, a canine can differentiate between products of combustions and similar chemical gases found at fire scenes from true accelerants, which mechanical detectors cannot.
Canines are more adaptable and more accurate than mechanical equipment. This accuracy can help pinpoint the location of accelerants in a shorter time, thereby reducing the field time of investigators searching and processing a fire scene. The use of canines can reduce the number of samples that need to be collected and tested.
Since 1998, ATF has been conducting their own training at the state of the art training facility in Front Royal, Virginia. These canines are the ONLY accelerant-detecting canines in this country that carry a federal certification, and must be re-certified annually by ATF. The experience gained from these training programs has resulted in the development and standardization of training methodologies to hone the identification and discrimination capabilities of canines for accelerant detection.
NATIONAL RESPONSE TEAM
In 1978, ATF developed a national response capability, the NRT, to assist federal, state, and local investigators in meeting the challenges faced at the scenes of significant arson and explosives incidents. Presently, the NRT consists of four teams organized geographically to provide comprehensive coverage to the U.S. Each team is available to respond within 24 hours to assist State, local, and other federal law enforcement/fire service personnel in onsite fire and explosives investigations. The teams typically respond to investigate suspicious commercial fires, bombings, and accidental explosions at explosives, ammunition, and pyrotechnics manufacturing facilities.Each team is comprised of veteran special agents having postblast and fire origin and cause expertise, forensic chemists, fire protection engineers, canine handlers with an accelerant or explosives detection canine, and explosives technology experts. Each team works with State and local officers to reconstruct the scene, identify the seat of the blast or origin of the fire, conduct interviews, and sift through debris to obtain evidence related to the bombing or fire.
In 1997 the Bedford Fire Department made application with ATF for an accelerant detection canine. In the winter of 1998 we were approved to receive this canine, at no cost to the City of Bedford. With only a short time frame to get ready to go, donations were received in the form of a vehicle and a cage for the vehicle. In February of 1999 Lt. Lankford went to Front Royal, Va. for training, certification and to meet his new partner. Previous phone conversations and visits with ATF personnel had been made to ensure that the canine and handler would be well suited for as a team. Upon his arrival he was paired with Billie, a 2-year old black Labrador Retriever that had previously been trained as a guide dog for Guiding Eyes Foundation. Upon completion of an extensive five-week training program both Lt. Lankford and Billie graduated and returned to Bedford ready to go to work. Within 36 hours of returning to work Billie was at her first fire scene. The fire had occurred in a storage shed two weeks prior to the date of the canine investigation. Upon being deployed and searching the fire scene she alerted to two different locations in the structure. This was the first of many success stories for the team. Since that time they have responded to assist in many investigations. The team is available for use by federal, state and local investigators. Billie is on a food-reward system used to maintain her skills in the detection of accelerants. This requires a serious commitment on the part of her handler.
In addition to numerous areas within Texas, Billie has also traveled to Vail, Colorado; Salt Lake City, Utah and Phoenix, Arizona to assist with fire investigations. Arson cases that Billie has been involved in have gone to trial in both Federal and State courts, with convictions obtained in all cases.
When Billie is not at work, she is a normal dog enjoying her 'sister' Scout and 'brother' Jake. Scout is a Sheltie-Shepherd mix and Jake is a Sheltie-terrier mix. They all love playing together and have a large backyard to run in as well as the run of the house. Even though Billie loves her home life, she is always at the ready to head out the door for work.