Last year there were an estimated 8,500 terrorist attacks around the world, killing more than 14,840 victims. Global Terrorism Overview: Terrorism in 2019 (umd.edu) This ongoing threat and the present use of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) has served as a driving force in developing a method of detecting explosives being transported by a person or a Person-borne Improvised Explosive Device (PBIED). A PBIED is constructed from a variety of shrapnel producing materials and explosives then concealed under clothing. These types of devices are extremely difficult to detect. These devices are continuing to be employed by terrorist groups. On December 19, 2020, three people were killed and another seven injured in a PBIED attack in the town of Konduga, Nigeria. Nigeria: 3 Killed, 7 Injured in PBIED Attack (dhs.gov) Other events like the Boston Marathon Bombing present an example of individuals moving through large crowds carrying explosives.
These events demonstrate the real nature these types of explosive threats pose to the United States and highlights the need to develop reliable methods of detection. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security recognizes canines as the “one of the best, most versatile mobile explosive detection tools available for protecting the Homeland from the explosive threat.” S&T Approved 508 Fact Sheet Template (dhs.gov)
The concept of training canines to detect concealed body-worn or carried explosive on an individual that is moving is not new. These types of canines are specifically trained to search for the explosive vapors as it moves through the air. Once detected they trail the odor to its source while the person transporting the odor is still in motion.
However, a national affirmation of these kinds of extraordinarily prepared canine teams has never been established. This left associations to conduct internal confirmations and/or certifications to validate and approve the viability of the canines. To address this issue the United Police Work Dog Association (UPWDA) is pioneering a set of National Standards to unveil the principle affirmation for these attested advances by creating a certification program for the Kinetic Explosive Detection Dog or “KEDD” which will be available to all organizations and the first of its kind. The KEDD certification delivers proven skill-assessment standards and consistent kinetic detection performance outcomes making certain that canine teams are proficient in detecting body-worn or carried explosives while in motion.
