Cadaver Water Dogs

This study, led by Amy Rattenbury, explores the application of cadaver dogs in detecting submerged remains, focusing on how environmental conditions influence scent availability and detection outcomes.
The work is being undertaken with a team of external researchers in collaboration with UK-K9, a National Association of Specialist Dog Users (NASDU) accredited training provider.

Over the last several months, observational data have been collected during routine water-based training sessions using porcine remains as scent sources. These sessions have allowed for the systematic recording of environmental variables (e.g. water and air temperature, wind speed, submersion duration) alongside search outcomes, including detection accuracy, time to alert, and handler-dog interaction. All data collection is non-invasive and takes place in real-world conditions with no alteration to existing training activities.

Preliminary analysis suggests detection success may be highly context-dependent, particularly in relation to environmental volatility and water type. These early observations reinforce the need for further research into scent dispersal dynamics in aquatic contexts, as well as the implications for search protocols and training methods. A poster presenting initial findings has been accepted for presentation at the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences (CSFS) Autumn Conference in Leeds this November, with further data collection and analysis scheduled into the autumn term.