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SDN members Cindy Grant and Mary Haislet, both Human Remains Detection Dog Handlers, took the opportunity to attend a Cadaver Dog Training Workshop March 2-4, 2012 offered by the Western Carolina University (WCU) Human Identification Lab and the Forensic Anthropology Program in Cullowhee, NC. They also attended a two day workshop on Basic Field Recovery and Bone Identification Feb. 29-March 1 offered by professors at WCU. The Cadaver Dog workshop instructors were Lisa Higgins, Brad Dennis, and Paul S. Martin.
- Brennan works a shoreline problem.
Cindy, Mary and their canines were able to work search areas including grassy fields, mountainous terrain, urban environments, buildings, and vehicle lineups. They were able to expose their dogs to full body decomposition in the Forensic Osteology Research Station (FOREST). Classroom instruction included the human decomposition process, bone identification, forensic taphonomy, and much more. The Bone identification instructors were John Schweikart and Cheryl A. Johnston, Ph.D.
This workshop offered an incredible opportunity to train with canines on full body decomposition. Western Carolina University is the only research facility doing research using donated bodies that generously opens its doors to Human Remains Detections K-9 teams. The workshop filled up in less than 10 minutes after opening its registration on line, and it was well worth the cost and travel time. If anyone signs up for future workshops, offered in a basic and advanced level, Cindy and Mary suggest you sign up the second registration opens and if you don’t type fast—find someone who does! Here is the following link for more information:
http://www.wcu.edu/28710.asp
Special thanks to the following for making this seminar possible:
Western Carolina University and Dept. of Anthropology
David O. Belcher, Chancellor WCU
John Williams, Director of Forensic Anthropology
Bobby Hensley, Associate Director of Continuing Education
John Schweikart
Cheryl A. Johnston, Ph.D
Steven Yates and other students that assisted
Cadaver Dog Instructors
Lisa Higgins, Louisiana Search and Rescue
Brad Dennis, Director of Search Operations for Klaas KIDS Foundation
Paul S. Martin, WCU Graduate