Lowest Common Denominator at search for mines
Publish date: 2010-12-31
Report number: FOI-R--3143--SE
Pages: 34
Written in: Swedish
Keywords:
- explosives
- energetic materials
- mine detective dogs
- purified TNT
- analysis
- odour
- new training methods
Abstract
The aim of the project has been, in regard to science and development, to motivate a change in the education of working dogs, mainly mine detection dogs (MDD), to be more effective and increase the operative ability of these dogs. The main goal has been to make the training more effective through using water solutions, made of purified 2,4,6-TNT, and implement directions for the training. From April until October year 2010, four dogs were trained at FHTE in mine hunting. The first step was to train the dogs to find and mark for small peaces of plastics (kong) placed in a carousel and later placed in lanes and in the search system. The training method led to that the dogs could find and mark for crystals and water solutions of purified TNT positioned on the ground. The spots from the water solutions were dried up to 4 hours before the search. All this training has been documented and sometime even by filming. The direction in the project has been changed through time by taking care of new experiences. This direction will be the new guidelines for mine searching dogs on FHTE and the water solution should be seen like a compliment to the training. After seven months of training all the dogs have fulfilled all the moments in the directions and trained to an authentication in a mine lane placed on the FHTE area. All the dogs are able to - Search in short and long leash along a rope on the ground up to 10 meters. - Search four boxes of 8x8 meters in a row without resting. - In its search system, find and mark a water solution of TNT or military grade TNT after waiting up to four hours after the positioning At the authentication, one of the dogs spontaneously marked one mine, which has never happened before with a dog not trained on mines. Three of the dogs, at several occations, showed an increased activity like stopping, sniffing a bit extra, scratch or lie down by the mines. The concentration of the water solutions of TNT has been between 1-100ng/mL and in the positioning on the ground 2-20mL has been used. In the positioning under the autumn the concentrations of the water solutions has been at the same levels measured over a mine. The dogs seldom or never, reacted/marked at backgrounds as objects, other solutions or different changes in the ground. During the beginning of the year a test was performed to see if we could find a lowest common denominator for ammunition and weapon search dogs. The result from that test is presented in the end of the report.