Dogs as Detectives

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Dogs are one of our most important weapons in combating terrorists and criminals who try to smuggle drugs and explosives. Although science has developed some very sensitive vapour detecting equipment, nothing yet beats a well trained lab, collie, or spaniel when it comes to sniffing out illegal drugs, and explosives.

A dog’s olfactory system occupies a large part of its brain. A dog can be trained to respond to as many as twelve different explosives as well as several different types of drugs. Dogs can even learn to ignore the masking smells of perfumes, which smugglers might use to disguise the scent of illegal substances. Human smell receptors adapt rapidly to a particular odour, so that it soon begins to fade. However, dogs retain their capacity to detect and distinguish odours over time.

However, technology is catching up. We are now able to build machines called mass spectrometers, that can identify minute traces of the individual substances used in explosives or drugs. Sniffer machines which are based on this technology are able to detect traces as small as one trillionth of a gram. Machines, which are large enough to allow people to walk through, are now being installed at some airports.

So next time you fly, be thankful for the combination of technology and animals that helps keep you safe.