SOUTH CAROLINA POLICE k-9 ASSOCIATION

EXPLOSIVE DETECTION TEST

This test will determine the proficiency and reliability of canine in the detection of explosives.

Minimum Requirements to Certify

To conduct an explosive certification, there will be two (2) explosive certifying officials from the South Carolina Police K-9 Association present.

All rulings by certifying officials are subject to appeal.

All K-9’s must find a total of six (6) aids which will be taken from the following groups:               

1) Powders                  5) Dynamite

2) RDX                          6) Ammonium Nitrate

3) TNT                          7) Water Gels

4) PETN                        8) Slurries

Explosive Quantities Used for Certifications

Each aid used for certification will consist of no less than one quarter (1/4) pound of material.

No pseudo odors will be used during certification.

No detonating devices will be placed with the aid or used in certification.

Search Area

For certification, the K-9 team will search four (4) rooms, four (4) vehicles and four (4) rows of five (5) boxes and/or suitcases.

Two (2) aids will be located in each area of searches.

Rooms

The search area will consist of four (4) rooms consisting of no less than four hundred (400) square feet each. Of those four (4) rooms, and in no specific order, one (1) room will contain one (1) aid, one (1) room will contain another aid and the other two (2) rooms will be blank.

Vehicles

The search area will consist of four (4) vehicles. The vehicles will be spaced in such a way that cross contamination will not take place.

Of those four (4) vehicles, and in no specific order, one (1) vehicle will contain one (1) aid, one (1) vehicle will contain another aid and the other two (2) vehicles will be blank.

Only exterior hides will be allowed.

Boxes and/or Suitcases

The search area will consist of four (4) rows. Each row will contain five (5) boxes and/or suitcases.

The rows and items will be spaced in such a way that cross contamination will not take place.

Of those four (4) rows, and in no specific order, one (1) row will contain one (1) aid, one (1) row will contain another aid and the other two (2) rows will be blank.

Time Allotted

Rooms

Four (4) minutes will be allotted to search each room. Time will start when the K-9 enters the room. Once the four (4) minutes expires, the handler will be asked to call the room. At that time the certification for that search area is terminated.

Vehicles

Three (3) minutes will be allotted to search each vehicle. Time will start when the K-9 starts sniffing the vehicle. Once the three (3) minutes expires, the handler will be asked to call the vehicle. At that time the certification for that search area is terminated.

Boxes and/or Suitcases

Five (5) minutes will be allotted to search all boxes and/or suitcases. Time will start when the K-9 starts sniffing the first row.

The handler will be asked to call the alerts as the team searches.

Alerts and Rewards

The K-9 handler must call the alert.

A missed hide is a failure.

The K-9 will be allowed only one (1) false alert in the entire certification.

No explosive scented rewards will be allowed.

All tests given the K9 team will be on a pass/fail basis.  The certifying official will determine if the team will be certified upon the completion of the test.  The handler and canine will be considered as a team and it is the team who will be certified.  If the canine changes handlers, a new team exists and the new team needs to be certified.

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Last modified: 05/30/07