Abstract
Simple SummaryExplosive detection canines are a unique resource used to protect a peaceful way of life. Searching for explosives is a difficult task that exposes both the canine and their handler to many factors that may affect their performance. Understanding these factors is essential to measuring and supporting the performance of the explosive detection canine team. This study is the first to systematically document these factors and uses expert interviews to learn from the handlers, trainers, and leaders closest to explosive detection canines. Through these interviews, numerous factors were identified in the areas of how the canine is utilized, the canine–handler interaction, and the physical, climate, operational, and explosive odor environments. Many of these factors are related to how the canine is used, a portion are known before the search starts, and some are only revealed during the search. This organized understanding of the challenges explosive detection canines face enables enhanced selection, training, assessment, and utilization and research into performance sustainment.The explosive detection canine (EDC) team is currently the best available mobile sensor capability in the fight against explosive threats. While the EDC can perform at a high level, the EDC team faces numerous factors during the search process that may degrade performance. Understanding these factors is key to effective selection, training, assessment, deployment, and operationalizable research. A systematic description of these factors is absent from the literature. This qualitative study leveraged the perspectives of expert EDC handlers, trainers, and leaders (n = 17) to determine the factors that degrade EDC performance. The participants revealed factors specific to utilization, the EDC team, and the physical, climate, operational, and explosive odor environments. Key results were the reality of performance degradation, the impact of the handler, and the importance of preparation. This study’s results can help improve EDC selection, training, assessment, and deployment and further research into sustaining EDC performance.
Highlights
The value of explosive detection canines (EDCs) in neutralizing and deterring threats to public safety is well understood [1,2,3,4,5]
The EDC team is unique compared to other explosive detection methods, as mammals on both ends of the leash must perform to the same high level for successful detection
The performance of the EDC and handler is dynamic, and searching for explosives in operational settings exposes the team to additional factors, some of which may be unidentified at the start of the search, that may affect the team’s performance [7,8]
Summary
The value of explosive detection canines (EDCs) in neutralizing and deterring threats to public safety is well understood [1,2,3,4,5]. Successful EDC selection, training, assessment, utilization, and research rely on a detailed understanding of both the operational requirements and the factors degrading operational performance [8,9,10]. While some of these factors have been documented and explored in the literature, our knowledge remains incomplete. These performance-degrading factors are best understood by EDC practitioners: the handlers, trainers, and leadership who have experienced their effects in operational settings [11,12,13]. A broad and methodical capture of this information is necessary, while remaining cognizant of the challenges with documenting critical information and accumulating and analyzing unclassified information [6,15]
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