Cold Cases

What constitutes a cold case? A cold case is defined as "an unsolved criminal investigation that remains open while awaiting the emergence of new evidence." How long must a case remain unresolved to be deemed "cold"? This often varies based on specific circumstances. A case may become cold in just a few years, or it could take 10 years or more.

In what ways do Human Remains Detection Dogs and their handlers assist investigators in cold cases? HRD Handlers, who deploy their dogs in cold cases, typically possess extensive additional training in forensic science. This supplementary training equips the handlers with an understanding of the changes that occur in the human body post-mortem. Such knowledge enables the handler to customize the training of an HRD Dog, enhancing their suitability for the task of locating what they are meant to find. Dogs trained to detect recently deceased individuals, where the decomposition process has only just commenced, may struggle significantly to locate dry, ancient bones from decades past. This is where an HRD Handler's comprehension of the specific nuances involved in training a dog for this type of work becomes crucial. The handler's awareness of a dog's capacity to identify older scent profiles, along with their ability to interpret the dog's body language and understand its behavior in these situations, enhances the handler's effectiveness in addressing newer, fresher cases, thereby fostering a more proficient team.

What constitutes being too old? Dogs possess the remarkable ability to detect the remains of individuals who have passed away, with the timeframe ranging from several decades to several hundred years. The two current Human Remains Detection (HRD) Dogs associated with K9 Search and Rescue Services of West Virginia have successfully identified minute traces of human remains in a case that is over 23 years old. Furthermore, these same dogs have located burial sites of bodies that date back to 1839. Their capability to find even the smallest remnants, which are often lost over time, effectively removes any limitations on the duration a case can remain unresolved when utilizing an HRD Dog.

How do we engage with a cold case? Frequently, an agency with jurisdiction over a case, typically the law enforcement department, may receive a tip regarding the potential burial site of a body. However, the precise location is often unknown, only a general vicinity is provided. For instance, “They placed him in the ground in the valley by the large rocks where the roads diverge and the trees have all fallen.” This area could range from a few acres to several hundred acres. Detection dogs, particularly HRD Dogs, can clear an area more swiftly, extensively, and accurately than human searchers due to their enhanced sensory processing capabilities, especially regarding smell. It may take numerous law enforcement personnel several days to search an area as small as 50 acres, whereas our two dogs can cover that same area in just few hours. Many law enforcement agencies lack dedicated search and rescue or recovery canines. Our agency is ready to respond anywhere within the state of West Virginia, as well as in many neighboring states. This accessibility simplifies the process for agencies that may only need to address a cold case once every few years, allowing them to seek our assistance without the need to allocate resources for maintaining their own detection team. A significant number of the cases we engage with are referred to us through recommendations from one law enforcement agency to another.

What specific training do we possess? We have made significant efforts to enhance our knowledge within our field, often surpassing the established standards, and we are continually striving to advance our skills and knowledge base. We frequently participate in hands-on training sessions with some of the foremost experts in the field, exposing our dogs and handlers to a wide array of situations. Additionally, we attend lectures, webinars, and various other training programs. One of our handlers and their canine was a participate in a university-led research initiative funded by The National Institute of Justice, which included handlers and canines from across the nation. Although there is typically no defined minimum requirement for certification in this field, our HRD Handlers have undergone rigorous training, and their work has been subject to internal reviews and certifications, as well as recognition from some of the leading agencies in Search and Rescue. Both of our handlers and their dogs have received certification from the NSDA, the National Search Dog Alliance, in Land Human Remains Detection, which entails evaluation in field conditions, along roadways, within buildings and vehicles, as well as in buried locations. Furthermore, both teams hold a Wilderness Cadaver Certification from the NSDA, which requires an area search covering between 40 to 80 acres of land. One of the teams' handler and dog have also achieved certification from NASAR, the National Search and Rescue Association, in Land HRD. Currently, both handlers and their dogs are certified in Canine Water HRD Shoreline Level 1, having proven their capability to work and detect bodies located in creeks and rivers.

How can one ascertain that we are a credible agency and can be relied upon for the work we undertake? Our team upholds the highest standards in terms of responsibility, ethics, and expertise for each member. Only those team members who are directly engaged in cold cases possess knowledge of the actions taken or the information provided by those associated with the case. No information is disclosed to anyone outside the organization without the explicit authorization of the agency that requests our assistance. In instances where we are permitted to reveal our involvement, we will wait for official public announcements to be made before issuing any such statements. Each time we collaborate with a new agency, we furnish a list of references. Additionally, we provide our credentials, including certifications and training records, for review and validation. We believe that transparency from our agency significantly contributes to fostering a valued working relationship with those who seek our assistance. We do not subscribe to making promises we cannot fulfill; therefore, we refrain from guaranteeing our capabilities.