Advancing the Role of Historical Human Remains Detection Dogs: Expanding Capabilities in Archaeology and Preservation

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Nondestructive Alternatives: Canine Remote Sensing (Scenting)" session, at the 90th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

The use of Historical Human Remains Detection (HHRD) dogs has seen significant advancements, becoming increasingly vital in both archaeology and forensic investigations. These specially trained dogs possess an extraordinary ability to detect the scent of human remains, even those that have been buried or decomposed for centuries. Originally, their primary role was to locate recently deceased individuals, but their scope has since expanded to include historical and precontact contexts. This progress is due to improved training techniques, a deeper understanding of canine olfaction, and greater collaboration between archaeologists, forensic experts, and dog handlers. As the demand for HHRD dogs in historical contexts continues to grow, it is essential to push the boundaries of our understanding of their capabilities. This discussion will explore the knowledge and techniques necessary to meet the increasing needs in deploying these dogs for historical and preservation purposes. The discussion will include the individual training and efficacy testing needed for these unique tasks. By advancing our knowledge and refining training methodologies, we can fully harness the exceptional abilities of these dogs, making them even more effective in uncovering and preserving our history.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 90th Annual Meeting, Denver, CO (2025)   •
• Nondestructive Alternatives: Canine Remote Sensing (Scenting)

Keywords

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 50403