ATF National Center for Explosives Training and Research Training

Department of JusticeBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and ExplosivesCanine Branch

ATF Canine Branch

• The National Center for Explosives Training and Research’s Canine Branch trains accelerant and explosives detection canines for State, local, other Federal, and foreign law enforcement agencies.

• The Branch is located in Front Royal, VA.

Presented at the NC at NU Search Dog Forum, 06-08 June 2005 -- EXCERPT

Department of JusticeBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and ExplosivesCanine Branch

ATF Canine Training Center

Department of JusticeBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and ExplosivesCanine Branch

Training Bay

Department of JusticeBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and ExplosivesCanine Branch

Department of JusticeBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and ExplosivesCanine Branch

Department of JusticeBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and ExplosivesCanine Branch

Department of JusticeBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and ExplosivesCanine Branch

Vehicle Training Pad

Department of JusticeBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and ExplosivesCanine Branch

Kennel Facility

Department of JusticeBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and ExplosivesCanine Branch

Kennel Facility

Department of JusticeBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and ExplosivesCanine Branch

Breed Used: Labrador Retrievers. Why Labs?

• Hearty• Intelligent• Can readily adapt to changing environments• Possesses a non-aggressive disposition

Department of JusticeBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and ExplosivesCanine Branch

Source of Canines

• Service Dog Agencies such as:

• Guide Dog Foundation• Guiding Eyes for the Blind• The Seeing Eye• Canine Companions for Independence

Department of JusticeBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and ExplosivesCanine Branch

ATF Accelerant Detection Canine Program

• The Accelerant Detection Canine Program places accelerant detection canines with State and local agencies to support their arson investigation activities.

• ATF currently has 66 accelerant teams active in the U.S.

Department of JusticeBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and ExplosivesCanine Branch

Accelerant Detection Dog Course Overview

• Duration: 31 Days• Attendees: New and Experienced canine

handlers• General Topics: Methodology, care and

maintenance of the canine, search patterns, and techniques for accelerant detection

Department of JusticeBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and ExplosivesCanine Branch

ATF Accelerant Detection Canines

Department of JusticeBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and ExplosivesCanine Branch

ATF Explosive Detection Canine Program

• The Explosives Detection Canine Program was initiated through an agreement with the Department of State, Office of Antiterrorism to train explosives detection canines for foreign countries to be used overseas in the war against terrorism and to protect American interests abroad.

• ATF currently has 94 explosive teams active in the U.S.

Department of JusticeBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and ExplosivesCanine Branch

ATF Explosive Detection Dog Course Overview

• Duration: 65 Days • Attendees: New and Experienced canine

handlers• General Topics: Methodology, care and

maintenance of the dog, search patterns and techniques for explosive detection

Department of JusticeBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and ExplosivesCanine Branch

Supervisory Canine Trainer, Gary Adams122 Cavalry Road

Front Royal, Virginia22630

(540) 622-8066 x 235