Explosives

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International Police Work Dog Association
Explosives Detection Certification Rules

 

The following test rules have been adopted by the International Police Work Dog Association (IPWDA). Each of the following tests are designed to determine the proficiency of the work dog team for certification in each phase of police work for K-9s. Whenever practical, a police work dog team graduating from an accredited training school should be tested and accredited. The successful passing of certification standards can be submitted in court. Each test is based on a pass/fail basis.

A. Judges. Master Trainers will act as judges for these tests

Judges will designate the area, phase and manner of each phase to be tested. The judge should make every effort not to interfere with or distract the dog. The judge will observe the work dog during each test for willingness, enjoyment, interest and accuracy. Handlers will be observed for ability and overall control of his/her dog. Upon successful completion of each test the credentials of accreditation will be issued.  Accreditation will be valid for two (2) years from the date of issue, (Except explosive detector teams, whose accreditation will only be valid for one (1) year.)

B. Prohibited Equipment. At no time during any of the offered certification tests will whips of any type be used. Pinch collars and electronic collars may be worn by the canine during testing; however, collars of this style may not be activated during any certification phase.

C. Abuse of a K-9. During any IPWDA function, any trainer/Master Trainer who observes what they believe to be cruel and or abusive treatment of a K-9 will have the right to terminate the existing exercise. The team will not be allowed to participate in the remainder of the function. The trainer/Master Trainer will inform the Executive Board of this incident and after a vote of the board, either the matter will be sent on to be handled by the grievance procedure or the team will be reinstated to complete whatever part of the function remains, if any.

D. Appeal. A work dog team that fails any of the following tests may reapply for testing at the next and most convenient time and date.

Any member that fails a test and feels that they have been judged unfairly will at the time of the test, notify the judge of his/her appeal. The member will then file a complete report of their observations and the reasons they feel they were judged unfairly. The judge having been notified of the appeal will file a report of his/her observations, all testing sheets, and his basis for failing the team.

All reports will be filed within thirty (30) days of the test to the President of the IPWDA. The President will then appoint an appeals committee. Reports or copies thereof will be forwarded to the appeals committee. Findings of the committee will be returned to the President and in turn he will forward a copy of the findings to the member and the Master Trainer. The decision of the appeals committee must be by a majority vote and it will be final.

E. Membership. Work dog teams wishing to be certified under these rules and by this Association must be members in good standing.

1. Police work dog teams wishing to be tested and certified under these rules and by this Association, must be regular members of this Association.

2. Associate members can be tested and certified under these rules in the following phases:

1. Obedience
2. Tracking
3. Area search
4. Article search
5. Agility
6. Search and rescue
7. Explosives- Phase One A
   
   1. Explosives- Phase One A (1A) - (IPWDA Odor Recognition Test/Associate) Successful certification is denoted by a single silver star.
8. Explosives- Phase Two A
   
   1. Explosives- Phase Two A(2A) – (IPWDA Operational Test/Associate) Successful certification is denoted by two (2) silver stars.

 

F. Certification Validity: An IPWDA Certification of a regular member canine team will only be valid when the canine team is being utilized by:

1. The law enforcement agency they are employed by.
2. A law enforcement agency they are on official assignment to by authority of their own law enforcement agency employer, (i.e., county, state, federal task force)
3. A law enforcement agency which requested and received official mutual aid from the canine team's law enforcement agency employer
4. When Associate Members are required by Private Contracting Companies (i.e. Department of Defense etc..) for thier k-9 use in a specialty such as Explosives. (It shall be the sole discretion of the Master Trainer to certify such teams and inspect their credentials of their status of Employment and within the Association.)

NOTE: Under no circumstances will an IPWDA canine team's certification be valid when the team is being utilized for any and all non law enforcement agency uses.
Under no circumstances will any member canine team's certification be valid either regular or associate member, if their membership status is not in good standing.

G. Certification Fees: There will be no charge for Regular and Search and Rescue associate member certification. There will be a testing fee for a Private Contracting Associate Member in the Explosive Phases. These fees will be payable to the I.P.W.D.A. abd forwarded to the Association Treasurer and deposited in the association funds. If the Associate Team fails in (one) of the above testing areas, only the areas failed needs re-testing at a later time and at no further testing fees. There maybe costs associated with the Travel and Per-diem of the testing Master Trainer.
 

H.  Master Trainers may not perform the first IPWDA certification for dogs that they have sold.

 

 

     Explosives Testing     

PHASE ONE

(Odor Recognition Test)
(Bi-Annual Certification Mandatory for Phase Three) (2 Years Regular Member)
IPWDA Phase One or ATF&E (NORT)
Regular Member-Denoted by One Gold Star.
Associate Member-Denoted by One Silver Star.

This minimum odor recognition test is established to determine whether or not a canine can successfully recognize explosive odors.

This test is intended to be used in conjunction with any training methodology and to provide a standardized method for assessing a canine's ability to recognize explosive odors. This test is only designed to assess a canine's ability to successfully recognize explosive odors and the handler's ability to deploy, handle and read his K-9 properly.

Successful completion of this test does not indicate proficiency in operational environments. Associate members may test and certify for the Phase One minimum odor recognition test. All associate members testing in the Phase one test must be sponsored by a IPWDA regular member who has certified in explosive detection or a IPWDA Master Trainer or Trainer in explosive detection.

Associate member will be assessed a testing fee to cover costs. The Master Trainer conducting the test will collect this fee prior to testing. All testing fees collected will be noted on the test sheets and submitted to the association. The Master Trainers conducting the testing may impose other expenses associated with this testing.

Regular members testing in explosive detection (Phase Two) do not have to test in Phase One (Odor Recognition) to certify in Phase Two. If a regular member chooses to test in Phase One (Odor Recognition) then a separate certification sheet will be issued to the testing team upon successful completion of each phase tested in.

Mandatory Explosive Odors:
The dog shall be capable of recognizing the scent of the following mandatory explosive odors:

1. Black Powder (Safety fuse, free flowing or time fuse) or Double base Smokeless Powder.
2. Commercial Dynamite (containing EGDN or N.G:)
3. RDX (C-4), RDX base det-cord, or Flex-x/Data sheet
4. PETN (Det-cord)
5. TNT or Military dynamite
6. Slurries / Water-Gel

The detection reliability of the dog on the mandatory odor recognition list shall be 100% in order to pass the explosive odor recognition test. Re-testing will be at the discretion of the Master Trainer conducting the test.

The dog should be trained to disregard artificial distracters purposely placed in the testing area.

The dog shall be trained to give an outward change in his/her behavior to the listed odors and must be trained to alert (Sit or Down) his handler that an explosive material has been located. Any aggression toward a placed training aid (Bite, Bark, or Scratch) should be noted by the Master Trainer and can be used to disqualify the testing team.

 

The Test:

The test involves simple recognition of explosive odors. Simple recognition by the handler means that the handler will not know where the explosive aids are placed. This will help verify that the canine is actually recognizing explosive odors and not responding to any external cues.

All testing in Phase One will be conducted on leash.
A Master Trainer in explosive detection will be responsible for the selection and placement of an explosive odors and evaluating the test results.

All explosive aids should be uncontaminated

Uncontaminated distracters should be utilized.

The quantity of explosive used for each test sample will be at the discretion of the Master Trainer.
Each test sample (Explosive or Distraction) should be placed in a clean, unused container.
All containers should be identical.
Each container should have a perforated top. (Wood, cardboard, metal etc.) and will be absent of external markings and an perforations will be small enough to eliminate the presence of visual cues.

The six (6) mandatory explosives will be utilized.

Four(4) total elective odors and improvised explosive odors may be added to the testing.

Total testing odors will be ten (10).

The four (4) elective odors may be chosen by the team being tested to add to the six (6) mandatory explosive being tested on.

The elective odors will be selected by the availability of the training aids on hand during the time of testing.

All final decisions will rest with the Master Trainer.

Elective Odors: (Example)

• Binaries
• Blasting Agents (No explosive caps will be used in any testing)
• Cast Boosters
• Composition B
• Emulsions
• Pyrotechnics Powder
• Semtex
• Single base smokeless powder

Improvised Explosive (Example)

• Chlorate based mixtures
• Nitrate based mixtures
• Peroxide based mixtures
• Urea Nitrate

Distraction Odors:
(Example)
Leather, cotton, clothing, papers, food, plastic, Styrofoam and etc.

A distraction odor is any non-explosive odor that a canine may encounter. Each distraction odor will be chosen at the discretion of the Master Trainer.

Forty or more containers are recommended for this testing.

The containers can be: Examples: ... Single or double hole cinder blocks with a perforated cover or a drop in container with a perforated top... Wood boxes with a drop in container with a perforated top. Small cardboard Box with a drop in container with a perforated top or any other available containers (Sterile paint cans of different sizes) that are acceptable to the Master Trainer.

The containers should be placed three (3) to four (4) feet apart. The ten- (10) explosive aids will be placed randomly among the forty plus containers. The Master Trainer will select the overall arrangement of the sample containers. Examples of arrangement include two individual lines of twenty (20) or fewer. Two or three circles of twenty (20) or fewer or one large circle of forty (40) or more.

To allow for sufficient odor availability, the explosive training aids should be in place for a minimum of twenty (20) minutes prior to testing.

Prior to starting it is recommended that a K-9 team be walked through the testing area if more than one team is to be tested.
The handler will notify the Master Trainer each time the canine has made an alert. The Master Trainer will record the placement of the container where each alerting response is identified.
To successfully pass the odor recognition test.
The canine must make positive responses on all explosive odors used in the test.
The canine is allowed two responses on non-explosive samples.
A reasonable time limit will be placed on the testing. This will be at the discretion of the Master Trainer conducting the test.

Note: Care should be taken to avoid cross-contamination of one explosive aid with the prevalent odor of another.
It is important that every effort be made to keep the explosives used in training and testing uncontaminated from other odors, whether from other explosives or from other materials with distinct odors that could be picked up by the explosives.
Explosives should not be handled with bare hands.
Disposable gloves should be used with only one explosive aid and then discarded.
The person handling the distraction odors should also wear the same type of disposable gloves when handling the distraction odor samples.

PHASE TWO

(Operational Test)
(Annual Certification Mandatory for Regular Members) (1 Year)
Regular Member-Denoted by Two Gold Stars
Associate Member-Denoted by Two Silver Stars

This test will determine the proficiency and reliability of dogs in the detection of explosives in an operational certification.

The Test:

For the operational test the Team Cannot Miss Any Training Aids.
All testing will be done on a Pass/Fail basis.
If the team fails in one (1) test area, “Only That Area Failed In Needs To Be Re-tested” at a later time.
It is recommended that testing be done over a two (2) day period or more.
However this is only a recommendation and the final decision shall rest with the Master Trainer.
All aids will be placed at least thirty (30) minutes prior to testing.
No detonating devices will ever be placed with the aids or used in testing.
If an aid has to be moved to a new location, the previously used area must be removed as a testing sight.
A “Master Trainer Accredited in Explosive Detection” will do all testing.
Prior to the first detection team entering the test area, a man and a K-9 will be walked through the testing area.
Each handler shall brief the Master Trainer as to the dogs alert and response to an aid prior to testing.
Each indication to an aid by the canine should be obvious to the Master Trainer.
The Master Trainer shall prior to each phase, explain each problem that will be encountered by the handler such as boundaries, time, starting point, etc…

 

The Purpose:

The purpose of the testing is to observe the team’s ability to locate a hidden explosive. It should be noted that all aids might not be pinpointed to source due to the height, wind currents or placement of the aid.
The Master Trainer should exercise reasonable judgement and the handler for consideration should note all changes of behavior.
Any aggression towards a placed training aid (Bite, Bark or Scratch) can be used to disqualify the testing team.
Each certification shall be valid for a one (1) year period from the date of issue.
It should be noted that normal training and retraining must be conducted to maintain and enhance the team’s capability.
All aids used in testing should be of recent manufacture and in separate containers.
It shall be the responsibility of the agency being tested to provide the testing aids. Strict safety measures shall be upheld during testing. No smoking will be allowed in test areas.

Odors Tested on:
All canines must be tested on all basic odors.
The basic odors are:

1. Powders (Black or Smokeless)
2. Commercial Dynamites
3. C4 or Flex-X/Data Sheet (RDX)
4. TNT or Military Dynamite
5. Primer Cord (PETN)
6. Slurries (Water-Gel)

The maximum weight of the explosive used shall be unlimited; however, a minimum weight of a half (1/2) pound shall be used for testing. The term “Aid” shall mean an explosive substance. Each area tested will contain a Minimum of two (2) and a Maximum of four (4) aids with each aid being a different explosive. The handler will not be told the number or type of explosives they are searching for.

Areas Tested In:

Six (6) areas will be provided for testing. The canine team will be tested in four (4) of the six areas. The areas will be picked by availability. The six areas to be tested in are:

1. Buildings
2. Vehicles
3. Open Area
4. Aircraft
5. Baggage
6. Mass Transit Vehicle

Building Search:
The building search will consist of a minimum (4) of four rooms and a maximum of six (6) rooms. Each room will be at least 400 square feet and have some type of furniture in it. Only one (1) aid may be placed in one room. One or more rooms should contain no aid; One aid must be placed high. The aid may be placed anywhere from 8 feet to ground level. The aids will be placed so the canine can not retrieve it. The handler may, not open cabinet doors, desk drawers, closet doors, etc.

Vehicle Search:
Eight (8) vehicles minimum with a maximum sixteen (16) of any type or model may be used. The vehicles will be parked in a park configuration so as to allow the team to have access to each vehicle. The aids will be placed so the canine cannot retrieve it. Only one (1) aid may be placed on or in one vehicle. All detection will be done from outside the vehicle. One (1) aid will be placed inside a closed engine compartment. Additional aids must be placed at the discretion of the Master Trainer and may be placed, but not limited to:

1. The exterior of the gas tank or filler pipe.
2. Drive shaft
3. Interior of closed trunk
4. Passenger compartment (Closed)
5. Under siding and outer body

Open Area Search:
Open area to be no larger then 1,000 yards and no smaller then 50 X 50 yards or any configuration there of. Aids will be placed at the discretion of the Master Trainer and can be placed anywhere from a minimum of 1 foot below the surface level to a maximum of 8 feet above surface level.

An open area may be defined as:

1. Exterior of buildings
2. Open Fields
3. Wooded Area
4. Any area outside not covered

Aircraft Search:
Common sense shall rule as to the size of aircraft to be used. This will be at the discretion of the Master Trainer. Availability will be the ruling factor in the testing. The entire search shall include the interior and exterior of the aircraft along with all ground support equipment. One (1) aid must be placed inside of the aircraft. Additional aids will be placed outside at the discretion of the Master Trainer. This can be either inside the aircraft or outside. This testing phase is not limited to just one (1) aid inside the aircraft. All aids will be placed so the canine cannot retrieve them. TSA rules relating to contamination will be strictly adhered to regarding the placement of aids inside any aircraft.

Baggage Search:
Baggage shall be defined as hard and soft-shell suitcases, attaché’s case, clothing bags, brief cases, golf bags, sea bags, duffel bags, etc.. Fifteen (15) bags minimum with a maximum of twenty-five (25) bags may be used. (Bags should contain some type of clothing of filler materials). All aids will be placed inside the bags in a manner so the canine cannot retrieve it. Bags may be placed in two to three rows with enough space between each bag to allow the canine to search.

Mass Transit Vehicles:
The Master Trainer based on availability will select the mass transit vehicles. Consideration may be given to the types of mass transit vehicles typically encountered by the handlers. These vehicles may include buses, trains, watercraft and etc. Training aids will be placed so that the canines cannot retrieve them. The Master Trainer will determine the number and placement of aids and blank areas.

 

PHASE THREE

(Advanced Operational Test)
(Certification for qualified Regular Members every third year) (3 Years)
Regular Member-Denoted by Three GOLD STARS.

Statement of Purpose: To outline requirements for IPWDA Phase 3 explosives detection canine certification.

Requirements for Initial Phase Three Certification:

1. Minimum 2 year as an explosive detection canine team.
2. A current annual IPWDA Explosive Detection Canine Certification (Phase 2).
3. Successful completion of the ATF&E National Odor Recognition Test (NORT) (Level II)
   Or IPWDA Odor Recognition Test (Phase 1) within the previous 12 month

Requirements for Recertification:

1. A current annual IPWDA Explosive Detection Canine Certification (Phase 2).
2. Successful completion of the National Odor Recognition Test (NORT) (Level II) or IPWDA Odor Recognition Test (Phase 1) within the previous 24 months.
3. Successful completion of initial IPWDA Phase 3 certification within the previous 36 months.

Testing Process for Phase 3 (IPWDA)

All explosives detection canine teams seeking “IPWDA Phase 3 Certification” will be certified in a two-part testing process. The first part or Part One will consist of the ATF National Odor Recognition Test (NORT) or IPWDA Phase 1, and Part Two will consist of a number of practical exercises. Both parts must be completed successfully before certification is awarded. All explosives detection canine teams will comply with the following.

 

Explosives Detection Canine Practical Exercise Testing

A. Search Exercises
An IPWDA Master Trainer in Explosive Detection will administer the testing of all 4 areas and will be responsible for selecting and recording the placement of all explosive training aids and evaluating the test results.

The operational certification will consist of 4-9 hides of explosives, ranging in weight from ½ pound to5 pounds, and will be placed randomly (but realistically) within the 4 predetermined areas. All searches will have a minimum set-up time of 30 minutes. When placing explosive aids, the use of gloves and a barrier material should be utilized to prevent contamination of training aids and the training area. Hides will be placed from 0-6 feet in height and 0-1 feet in depth. All training hides must be hidden from view and placed where the canine cannot get access to the hide. One of the 4 operational search areas may be blank; additionally, 1 search area will require the team to work approximately 20 minutes. The canine must show the capability to complete all searches and will not be allowed a rest break at anytime (deviations to this will be at the discretion of the Master Trainer and based on exigent circumstances). An unsatisfactory rating in one of the specified areas will not prevent the team from being evaluated in the remaining areas; however, a second unsatisfactory rating in any other part of the certification will result in the team failing the entire certification. The team is allowed to be re-evaluated in one failed area upon completion of the certification. Any re-evaluation should be conducted in as close to the same manner as possible to the original exercise.

During testing, all necessary precautions will be taken to insure that the handler has no prior knowledge as to the location of training aids. Teams should search the way they were trained. No assistance or leading of the team will be allowed.

In Part Two testing, the canine team can have no more than one “miss” in all areas. A “miss” is defined as “any situation in which a team fails to locate an explosive”. At the Master Trainers discretion, in the event of a miss, the team may be allowed to search the exact location of the find to determine the reason for the miss. The team can also have no more than two false indications in all areas. A “false indication” is defined as “indication behaviors displayed by the canine in the absence of explosive odor, accompanied by handler concurrence”. In the event of a “false indication”, the instructor will discuss possible reasons for the “false indication” -- be it handler or canine error -- and advise the team accordingly. If a handler “calls” a specific area and is incorrect, this also is considered a “false indication”.

B. Operational Missions Search
Should be scenario-based; i.e., preventative sweeps, bomb threats, investigative searches, dignitary protection, and open area. Buried aids may be used.

C. Vehicle Search
Passenger cars, light trucks, vans, recreational vehicles, and tractor trailers may be used.

20-40 vehicles will be used based on availability.
NOTE: For tractor trailers, 5 or more will be used (1 interior and 1 exterior hide should be used).

Care should be taken not to use extensively damaged vehicles, which may cause undue injuries to canines.

The order and spacing of the vehicles will be determined to permit the team’s easy access.

D. Article Search
Boxes, envelopes, luggage, handbags, duffle bags, and backpacks may be used.

30 to 50 articles will be used based on availability and type.

E. Transit Search
Planes, trains, ships, buses, and subway cars may be used.

3-5 transit vehicles will be used based on availability and type. Both interior and exterior if practical will be searched. The Master Trainer will make this determination. (1 or more interior hides should be placed).

F. Procedure
Prior to starting the test, the following will be explained to the canine handler:

• The boundaries of the search areas and any areas or objects within the search area which are not “in play”.
• The handler may not open cabinet doors, desk drawers, closet doors, etc.
• The handler will identify when the canine has made an alerting response and report it to the test administrator.
• The canine will only be rewarded for correct alerts made on positive samples identified by the handler and confirmed by the test administrator.
• If the handler identifies a canine alert that is within 10 feet of a hidden training aid, but not in the immediate area of the training aid, the test administrator will advise the handler ”Not at Source”.
• If the handler identifies a canine alert that is not within 10 feet of a hidden training aid, the test administrator will advise the handler “False Indication” (NOTE: Due to environmental conditions and/or developing trends of previous teams in the same area, discretion of the test administrator can be used and a “Not at Source” given.)

Upon apparent completion of the search, the test administrator will ask the handler:

• Is there any area you would like to go back to?
• Is there any area that you would like to call?
• Would you like to terminate?

NOTE: These questions must be asked in a non-leading manner. If the handler decides to return to an area of interest, specific details must be given as to why, and the handler will be allowed to search that area and the areas immediately adjacent.

G. Evaluation of Test Results
Pass: To pass the Practical Exercise Test, the canine must have no more than one miss and two false indications, cumulatively, in all areas of the certification.

Fail: The canine team will fail if more than one explosives sample is missed or if more than two false indications are made, cumulatively, in all areas. If the canine team fails the certification, they must be reevaluated in all phases, no sooner than 30 days. To request a reevaluation, the handler must submit a written remedial training plan that outlines the deficiencies and corrective actions taken to the testing Master Trainer.

H. Administration
Certification is issued upon successful completion of Phase 3 testing and is subject to suspension by the IPWDA Explosive Detection Committee or the IPWDA Executive Board for violation of laws, policies, rules, guidelines, methods of instruction training, or field performance problems. If at any time the explosives detection canine team fails to maintain Part I and/or Part II, the handler will be required to surrender the Phase 3 certification card to the Part I or Part II certifying official. (EDD Master Trainer)

EXPLOSIVES EVALUATOR ACCREDITATION REQUIREMENTS

 

Evaluator- responsible for evaluating and testing Explosive Detection Dogs during certification events hosted by IPWDA and/or ATF&E under the direct supervision of an IPWDA Explosive Detection Dog Master Trainer.
1. Applicant must be a Trainer in good standing with IPWDA in the discipline of Explosive Detection.
2. Applicant must have attended and successfully completed the ATF&E Explosive Detection Canine Evaluator Course.

ADOPTION OF INERNATIONAL STANDARDS FOR INDIVIDUAL COUNTRIES

 

The International Police Work Dog Association reserves the right to adopt Accreditation, Training, and Certification Standards which are set forth by a Country outside of the United States. The adopted standards shall be recognized only as part of the International Police Work Dog Association for the specific country for which they are applicable.

Revised September 2010