Session 1: FUR-ensic Canines in Court: Legal Responsibility, Arid Decomposition, and Recognizing Human Bone
When: TBD 2025
Where: Forensic Investigation Research Station, Colorado Mesa University, 3112 Hookless Boulevard, Whitewater, CO
Who: Law enforcement dog handlers and dogs, search and rescue dog handlers and dogs
Cost: $425
In response to requests from canine handler organizations, in 2017 the FIRS launched a two-day workshop for canine-handler teams. The workshop is composed of both classroom (lecture) and practical (field exercises) meant to introduce the handler and canine to decompositional changes in an arid environment. Included in the cost are snacks, beverages, lunches, t-shirt, and FIRS patch. Lectures include: an introduction to FIRS and current research, the trajectory of decomposition in an arid environment, human and non-human bone identification, and introductions to current Sensor Dog standards put out by the National Institute of Justice's Organization of Scientific Areas Committee on Sensor Dogs and an introduction to expert witness testimony. Group sizes for practical exercises do not exceed five canine-handler teams. Practical exercises vary, but include an imprinting station with incremental increase in exposure to active human decomposition (your canine must successfully complete this before progressing to more difficult exercises), an outdoor field search for a surface body, and a search for a body inside a house, and other exercises.
How to enroll: Due to the sensitive nature of the research conducted at FIRS, and out of respect for our Donors, we only accept canine-handler teams able to demonstrate advanced training and certification. An on-line application process will require (1) Canine-handler CV; (2) proof of completion of national certification within the last year, (3) a digital photograph of the certified canine participating in course. Please submit supporting information in a single email to Alex Smith ([email protected]). Questions may be submitted to the same address - please allow 48 hours for a response.
Session 2: FUR-ensic Finds: Search Patterns and Scavenging
When: TBD 2025
Where: Forensic Investigation Research Station, Colorado Mesa University, 3112 Hookless Boulevard, Whitewater, CO
Who: Law enforcement dog handlers and dogs, search and rescue dog handlers and dogs
Cost: $425
After five years of the classic FUR-ensic canine workshop, by popular demand the FIRS is expanding canine training opportunities with this all new workshop. FUR-ensic Finds is designed as an extension of the classic training, providing all new lectures and practical exercises for canine-handler teams that have already completed the classic course. New lectures will include topics such as search patterns, scavenging and dispersal of remains, and more. Practical exercises will differ from those in the classic course and include multiple scenarios with whole human remains. Group sizes for practical exercises do not exceed five canine-handler teams. Included in the cost are snacks, beverages, lunches, t-shirt, and FIRS patch.
How to enroll: This session is only open to canine-handler teams that have attended a previous FIRS HRD workshop (or will complete session 1 in 2024). Due to the sensitive nature of the research conducted at FIRS, and out of respect for our Donors, we only accept canine-handler teams able to demonstrate advanced training and certification. An on-line application process will require (1) Canine-handler CV; (2) proof of completion of national certification within the last year, (3) a digital photograph of the certified canine participating in course. Please submit supporting information in a single email to Alex Smith ([email protected]). Questions may be submitted to the same address - please allow 48 hours for a response.