Dataset Information

Physical properties of odorants affect behavior of trained detection dogs during close-quarters searches.

ABSTRACT: Trained detection dogs have a unique ability to find the sources of target odors in complex fluid environments. How dogs derive information about the source of an odor from an odor plume comprised of odorants with different physical properties, such as diffusivity, is currently unknown. Two volatile chemicals associated with explosive detection, ammonia (NH₃, derived from ammonium nitrate-based explosives) and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol (2E1H, associated with composition C4 plastic explosives) were used to ascertain the effects of the physical properties of odorants on the search behavior and motion of trained dogs. NH₃ has a diffusivity 3.6 times that of 2E1H. Fourteen civilian detection dogs were recruited to train on each target odorant using controlled odor mimic permeation systems as training aids over 6 weeks and then tested in a controlled-environment search trial where behavior, motion, and search success were analyzed. Our results indicate the target-odorant influences search motion and time spent in the stages of searching, with dogs spending more time in larger areas while localizing NH₃. This aligns with the greater diffusivity of NH₃ driving diffusion-dominated odor transport when dogs are close to the odor source in contrast to the advection-driven transport of 2E1H at the same distances.

SUBMITTER: Mejia D

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10902392 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Physical properties of odorants affect behavior of trained detection dogs during close-quarters searches.

Mejia Daniel D Burnett Lydia L Hebdon Nicholas N Stevens Peter P Shiber Alexis A Cranston Clay C DeGreeff Lauryn L Waldrop Lindsay D LD

Scientific reports 20240228 1

Trained detection dogs have a unique ability to find the sources of target odors in complex fluid environments. How dogs derive information about the source of an odor from an odor plume comprised of odorants with different physical properties, such as diffusivity, is currently unknown. Two volatile chemicals associated with explosive detection, ammonia (NH<sub>3</sub>, derived from ammonium nitrate-based explosives) and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol (2E1H, associated with composition C4 plastic explosives) ...[more]

PMID: 38418891

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Dataset Information

Physical properties of odorants affect behavior of trained detection dogs during close-quarters searches.

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Physical properties of odorants affect behavior of trained detection dogs during close-quarters searches.

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