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Most people know dogs can detect drugs, explosives, or human remains. But did you know some dogs are trained to find electronic devices?

In this episode of Last Scent, we explore the world of electronic detection dogs and how they're trained to locate hidden devices such as cell phones, USB drives, and memory cards.

We'll look at the science behind their remarkable ability, how these dogs assist investigators in finding digital evidence, and why something as small as a memory card can make a difference in an investigation.

Source Material

American Kennel Club. (2024, December 16). ACE winner: Uniformed Service K-9 Rosco.

Connecticut State Police. (2022, March 31). CSP mourns loss of world's first electronic storage device detection K9.

https://www.secretservice.gov/newsroom/behind-the-shades/2025/06/electronic-detection-dogs-equip-agencies-high-tech-tracking

James, J. E. (2023). Electronic detection K9s: The newest weapon in the fight against child sex crimes. Issues in Information Systems, 24(4), 40–50.

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. (n.d.). CyberTipline data. https://www.missingkids.org/cybertiplinedata

Our Rescue. (n.d.). ESD K9 program. https://ourrescue.org/esd-k9-program

OUR Rescue. (2024, July 12). International law enforcement collaboration leads to arrest of pediatrician in Ecuador for child sexual exploitation. PR Newswire.

State Troopers Association of Connecticut. (2014, April 2). Connecticut State Police has first electronic storage detection dog in the world.

Mindedahl, P. (2024, December 18). Paw & order: Haning and Rosco's fight to protect children. Oklahoma State University, STATE Magazine.

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In July 2013, 66-year-old Geraldine “Gerry” Largay disappeared while hiking the Appalachian Trail in Maine.

An experienced and well-prepared hiker, Gerry had spent months on the trail before a short detour changed everything.

In this episode of Last Scent, we explore the circumstances surrounding her disappearance, the challenges of searching Maine's dense wilderness, and the role search and rescue teams played in trying to bring her home.

We'll also look at how terrain, weather, and the movement of scent can complicate even the most extensive searches.

Source Material

Angle C, Waggoner LP, Ferrando A, Haney P and Passler T (2016) Canine Detection of the Volatilome: A Review of Implications for Pathogen and Disease Detection. Front. Vet. Sci. 3:47. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2016.00047

Martin, Clément et al. “Cadaver Dogs and the Deathly Hallows-A Survey and Literature Review on Selection and Training Procedure.” Animals : an open access journal from MDPI vol. 10,7 1219. 17 Jul. 2020, doi:10.3390/ani10071219

www.prsar.org/whatarecadaverdogs.html

https://www.buckeyesardogs.org

Standard for Training and Certification of Canine Detection of Human Remains: Human Remains on Land

Lit, Lisa et al. “Handler beliefs affect scent detection dog outcomes.” Animal cognition vol. 14,3 (2011): 387-94. doi:10.1007/s10071-010-0373-2

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/may/26/hiker-who-went-missing-on-appalachian-trail-survived-26-days-before-dying

https://digitalcommons.dartmouth.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1256&context=appalachia

https://www.fnsmantrailing.com/post/scent-science-how-the-environment-can-impact-the-trail

https://appalachiantrail.com/20151016/details-missing-hiker-geraldine-largays-remains-found/

When You Find my Body - Dee Dauphinee

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What happens when a search shifts from finding someone alive to finding answers?

In this episode of Last Scent, we take a closer look at cadaver dogs and how they're trained to detect the scent of human remains. We'll explore the science behind what these dogs smell, how environmental conditions can affect a search, and why the relationship between a dog and its handler matters.

We'll also look at the limitations of scent detection and why even a well-trained dog isn't always right.

Source Material

https://alifeofdogs.com/the-history-of-cadaver-dogs/

https://www.dogmanray.com/true-stories/buster/

https://www.discovermagazine.com/how-cadaver-dogs-sniff-out-and-dig-up-decaying-history-44666

https://nationalpurebreddogday.com/first-cadaver-trained-dog/

https://www.dogtrainercollege.us/learn-to-train-cadaver-dogs-at-dog-trainer-college/

Martin, Clément et al. “Cadaver Dogs and the Deathly Hallows-A Survey and Literature Review on Selection and Training Procedure.” Animals : an open access journal from MDPI vol. 10,7 1219. 17 Jul. 2020, doi:10.3390/ani10071219

Rebmann, Andrew, Edward David, and Marcella H. Sorg. Cadaver Dog Handbook: Forensic Training and Tactics for the Recovery of Human Remains. CRC Press, 2000.

Historic Human Remains Detection Dogs: Use and Application for Unmarked Graves Searches. Prairie Indigenous Archaeology Partnership, University of Alberta, Jan. 2024.

"Student Disappears While Hitchhiking." The Cornell Daily Sun, vol. 89, no. 69, 6 Dec. 1972, https://cdsun.library.cornell.edu/?a=d&d=CDS19721206.2.9

Bachrach, J. (1974, June 6). Missing persons: Coed case is a study of investigative flaws. The Star-Ledger.

Peace River K9 Search & Rescue Association — “Cadaver / Human Remains Detection / Forensic Recovery Dogs — An Overview” https://www.prsar.org/cadaver-dogs.html

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On September 11, 2001, hundreds of search and rescue dogs and their handlers responded to one of the darkest days in American history.

In the aftermath of the attacks on the World Trade Center, these remarkable teams worked tirelessly through dangerous conditions, searching for survivors and, eventually, helping with recovery efforts.

In the first episode of Last Scent, we explore the dogs of Ground Zero, the challenges they faced, and the extraordinary bond between working dogs and their handlers.

Because even in the aftermath of tragedy, the scent tells a story.

Source Material

Sources

Anatomy of the Dog’s Nose https://www.medicaldetectiondogs.org.uk/anatomy (2025)

https://kentuckysardog.org/what-is-k9-search-rescue/ (2023)

Humans Have a Unique Death Smell https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/humans-have-unique-smell-death-180956732/ (2015)

Hunter the electronic-sniffing dog offers clues and cuddles across central Indiana https://susiesplace.org/hunter-technology-sniffing-dog/

https://www.911memorial.org/connect/blog/four-legged-911-heroes

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/family-dog/the-legacy-of-9-11-dogs/

https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/heroes-of-911

Lit L, Schweitzer JB, Oberbauer AM. Handler beliefs affect scent detection dog outcomes. Anim Cogn. 2011 May;14(3):387-94. doi: 10.1007/s10071-010-0373-2. Epub 2011 Jan 12. PMID: 21225441; PMCID: PMC3078300.