Odor Proof Bags in a Criminal Case
I informed the expert that often when I represent individuals traveling on the interstate that transport marijuana, methamphetamine or cocaine, the drugs are either heat sealed or placed in odor sealed bags, but yet the dogs still indicate. The expert explained that sometimes manufacturers that advertise odor proof bags do not provide odor proof bags and it is very easy to contaminate them. Furthermore, often individuals stopped on the interstate have, in the past, had other drugs or other paraphernalia in the vehicle. Obviously, from a criminal defense attorney’s perspective, the argument is that the dog never indicated because the drugs were in an odor proof bag, thus the dog was cued by the handler, the dog was not reliable, or the dog was trained to always indicate to the odor of narcotics because the dog is rewarded any time they indicate narcotics are in the vehicle. The dog is rewarded prior to law enforcement searching the vehicle. So, essentially the dog is rewarded for the behavior of indicating to the odor of narcotics when sniffing a car regardless of whether drugs, marijuana, or any other drug is actually found. The expert indicated this is certainly possible and can happen in certain situations.
In another discussion with the expert about whether the drug dogs are actually alerting to a narcotic or simply displaying behavior the officer wants to see so that they can be rewarded, we talked about a concept called detailing. Detailing is a yes or no sniff. The handler directs the dog to a specific location and either the dog indicates to the odor of narcotics or he doesn’t. I have found through deposing and cross-examining some officers that not all dogs that get certified are able to detail. This is troubling. If a dog cannot pass a yes or no test, how do you know if the dog actually alerted and then indicated to the odor of narcotics after being walked around a car three or four times without indicating? On Interstate 80, it is common to see drug dogs walking around a car for two or three laps before the drug dog actually alerts and indicates to the odor of narcotics. The expert explained to me that this is cause for concern because it may give the dog the impression that the handler is going to walk him around the car until the dog alerts or indicates. The importance of a dog being able to detail is important to know whether the dog can or cannot indicate to the odor of narcotics. Obviously, if you direct the dog to a specific location to have the dog sniff and the dog does not indicate when drugs are there or indicates when there is no odor of narcotics present, you certainly know that the dog may not be reliable.
Do drug dogs sit when they smell drugs?
Trainers scent one toy with four target odors, such as marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamines, and heroin, and teach the dogs to find the toy. The dogs learn to sit when they discover a target odor, and once they have learned a set of smells, they practice finding each odor separately.
How far away can dogs smell and hear? asks Georgina, age 8, from Warrawee, New South Wales. Animal behaviour expert Dr Susan Hazel from the School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences has the answer.
Thinking about different senses is a great way to learn about all animals. What are their senses like? How does that help them think about the world differently to us?
How far dogs can smell depends on many things, such as the wind and the type of scent. Under perfect conditions, they have been reported to smell objects or people as far as 20km away.
This amazing sense of smell means dogs have some of the most interesting jobs of any animal: the detection dog.
We know and learn about the world around us through our senses. The senses of smell and hearing in dogs mean they experience a different world to us.