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Area Search – The area search is by far the most common usage of a K9 team. An area search may be conducted on line or off line, so the canine can roam unrestricted. Using the canines on an area search is not always done to locate criminals. At times we might be using it to locate missing adults or children.
The canine is using air scent while conducting an area search. The canine is looking for the scent cone of the suspect to help them centralize the source of the odor. The scent cone is made up of the suspect’s body odor which the canine can detect and forms a cone shape away from the suspect as the odor moves through the air. The canine is trained to follow the scent cone back to its point of highest concentration and alert the handler. It is crucial the handler watch his/her canine partner during the search so he/she notices subtle changes in their canine’s behavior while conducting searches. These behavior changes may lead the handler to direct his/her canine partner to a certain area during the search.
Wind conditions, temperature, the search environment are all considerations the handler must take into consideration to help his/her canine partner become successful. The canines work hard to locate the odor, but it is up to the handler to get his/her canine partner near the odor, so that he is able to detect it and begin working the scent cone back to the suspect.
When the handler arrives at the scene of an area search it is important he/she obtain the most current information, location of perimeter officers, where the suspect was last seen, which direction the suspect was last seen running and how much time has elapsed. A good team effort by everyone involved will help increase the likelihood of a successful find.
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