In 2009, the National Research Council called upon the forensic science community to standardize the best practices and guidelines in the collection and analysis of evidence with the goal of ensuring quality and consistency within the field. In response to this need, the Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science (OSAC) was established to coordinate the development of best practices and standards in the forensic sciences.
The OSAC Dogs and Sensors subcommittee was part of this initiative focusing on standardizing training and certification protocols for canine detection teams. Though efforts to create and promote such standards are ongoing worldwide, the developed assessments for both training and operational contexts have yet to be empirically validated.
Read more…
Source: Frontiers
Sign up for the Counter-IED Report Newsletters
The latest news and insights delivered right to your inbox
Related:
- Indiana: Smoke grenade hidden in peanut butter jar found at Indianapolis Airport checked luggage
June 26, 2026
A bizarre discovery at Indianapolis International Airport this week has generated headlines nationwide after Transportation Security Administration officers uncovered two live smoke grenades hidden inside a traveler’s checked luggage, including one concealed inside a jar of peanut butter. According to the TSA, the suspicious bag alarmed during routine screening, prompting additional inspection by security personnel. Officers ...
- Benin: France equips the Beninese army with advanced equipment to counter IEDs
June 24, 2026
The military cooperation between Benin and France is intensifying in response to regional security challenges. On Tuesday, June 23, 2026, the 1st Engineer Battalion and the Center for Post-Conflict Demining and Pollution Action Training (CPADD) officially received a significant batch of high-tech equipment. This provision specifically aims to enhance the effectiveness of the armed forces in ...
- Pakistan: Sialkot airport cargo terminal gets explosive detection system
June 24, 2026
Pakistan’s first-ever Explosive Detection System (EDS) was inaugurated at the cargo terminal of Sialkot International Airport on Tuesday. The state-of-the-art system is aimed at strengthening cargo security, enhancing operational efficiency and facilitating exports in line with international standards. The EDS machine was jointly inaugurated by SIAL Chairman Hassan Ali Bhatti and Export Development Fund (EDF) head Omer ...
- Utah: Bomb squad responds to ‘suspicious bottle’ with possible explosives near Wasatch County Library
June 13, 2026
HEBER, Utah — The Wasatch County Library was closed and a bomb squad was called in from Salt Lake City after a suspicious bottle was found Saturday morning. Heber City Police said someone called them about a bottle near the library, with a note attached saying it was intended for law enforcement and should not be ...
- California: Sacramento man arrested at airport after TSA found explosives
June 2, 2026
A Sacramento man arrested this weekend at Sacramento International Airport after TSA agents detected suspected explosive materials, a timer and a cryptic message in his carry-on luggage now faces federal charges in the incident. Federal prosecutors Tuesday filed charges of unlawfully possessing explosive materials against Kimani Osayande Jones, also known as Jackson, 49, of Sacramento, in ...
- A Benchmark Dataset for Concealed Improvised Explosive Device Detection in X-ray Security Imaging
April 28, 2026
Threat detection in X-ray security screening is critical for preventing concealed threats in airports and other high-security venue where Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) remain among the most persistent and dangerous threats. The lack of a representative, and publicly available IED dataset has limited the development of machine-learning based automated threat detection systems. To address these issues, ...
- EODMU 5 technicians train Philippine Navy, Army and Coast Guard EOD teams at Balikatan 2026
April 27, 2026
A U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician assigned to Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit (EODMU) 5 explains X-Ray diagnostic and interpretation techniques to Philippine Coast Guard EOD technicians as part of exercise Balikatan 2026 in Cebu, Philippines, April 28, 2026. EODMU 5 worked with Philippine Naval Special Warfare Force, Philippine Coast Guard and Philippine Army ...
- RFI: Explosive Hazard Detection with Automated Target Recognition (ATR)
April 8, 2026
The U.S. Army Capability Program Executive Ammunition & Energetics (CPE A&E) is currently conducting market research and trade studies of automated target recognition (ATR) technologies to detect explosive hazards and complex obstacles. The purpose of ATR is to increase the Soldier’s ability to detect, classify, and identify threats in support of maneuver elements during autonomous breaching ...
- ATF: National Odor Recognition Testing
April 7, 2026
The National Odor Recognition Test (NORT) is a nationally recognized standardized method to evaluate a canine team’s ability to detect selected explosives. The ATF National Canine Division mobile training team travels to jurisdictions throughout the United States to administer NORT. This team is comprised of personnel from the National Canine Division and National Laboratory Centers, including ...
- California: US Marine detained after explosive round discovered in luggage at Palm Springs Airport
March 31, 2026
A 30-year-old U.S. Marine could face charges after authorities accused him of having a live 25mm explosive round in his checked luggage Monday afternoon at Palm Springs International Airport in California. Palm Springs police told ABC News that servicemember — identified as Ryan Weaver, of Henderson, Texas — had the explosive round in his checked luggage. ...
- New York: Fort Hamilton Hosts TSA‑Led Multi‑Agency K‑9 Training to Strengthen Regional Readiness
March 23, 2026
FORT HAMILTON, N.Y. — More than a dozen federal, state and local agencies trained together at Fort Hamilton on March 11, 2026, as Transportation Security Administration canine training instructors from John F. Kennedy International Airport led a large‑scale multi‑agency K‑9 readiness event designed to strengthen regional detection capabilities and interagency coordination. Supported by canine instructors from ...
- NZDF championed top-level home-made explosive detection exercise for NZ Government and coalition partners
March 4, 2026
There’s everything at stake for Wella, a six-year-old black labrador. She’s an Explosive Detector Dog (EDD) with 2nd Field Squadron, 2 Engineer Regiment, Royal New Zealand Engineers, under the direction of Lance Corporal Henry Wallace. She seems barely aware of the long leash as Lance Corporal Wallace manages her through a methodical sweep of a lounge ...
- South Korea: Presidential Security Service secures US patent for AI-based X-ray detection technology
February 22, 2026
The Presidential Security Service (PSS) obtained a patent from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) for its self-developed artificial intelligence (AI)-based X-ray hazardous materials detection technology, the PSS announced Sunday. The PSS expects the U.S. patent to accelerate research and development efforts aimed at deploying the technology in the field. The PSS said it ...
- UK: Six airports make 100ml liquid rule change
January 26, 2026
UK travellers have been given an update regarding the 100ml liquid restriction, with the nation’s busiest airport having finalised significant changes. Following the overhaul, those flying from Heathrow can now keep liquids in containers of up to two litres within their hand luggage when passing through security checks. This development follows the London hub’s completion of ...
- Detection and imaging of chemicals and hidden explosives using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy and deep learning
January 22, 2026
Detecting concealed chemicals and explosives remains a critical challenge in global security. Terahertz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) offers a promising non-invasive and stand-off detection technique owing to its ability to penetrate optically opaque materials without causing ionization damage. While many chemicals exhibit distinct spectral features in the terahertz range, conventional terahertz-based detection methods often struggle in real-world ...
