UAE | Crime
Canine squad to sniff out source of fires
Dogs have always proved their loyalty for humans, but now they are even helping police in discovering the source of fires at fire sites in addition to helping in solving some pretty mysterious cases.
- By Alia Al Theeb, Staff Reporter
- Published: 23:32 December 27, 2008
- Image Credit: Supplied picture
- One of the two arson dogs from the Dubai Police canine department gets ready to sniff out the evidence in a suspected case of arson. The department started using the arson dogs in 2005 and plans to train two more, soon.
Dubai: Dogs have always proved their loyalty for humans, but now they are even helping police in discovering the source of fires at fire sites in addition to helping in solving some pretty mysterious cases.
Major Abdul Salam Al Shamsi, director of Dubai Police's canine department, told Gulf News that currently there are two dogs which have been trained specifically to detect the sources of fires that break out at various sites.
He said the canine department works closely with the Forensic Department after putting out a fire to collect evidence and determine the source where the fire started from.
"The dogs give certain signs about the substance or the material that caused the fire. The search method depends on the site and its use and we train the dogs to search accordingly," Major Al Shamsi said.
He explained that the arson dogs' mission is to sniff out evidence at the arson scenes. Arson dogs can scan a large area in a record time compared to the time taken by humans or electronic devices, due to their strong sense of smell. Major Al Shamsi said the arson dogs go through basic training from two to six months before they are paired with handlers.
The dogs are usually trained to recognise explosive odours daily through food-and- praise-reward conditioning. The dogs are trained to associate the smell of gasoline with food and they are trained several times a day.
"Arson dogs are helpful tools which help investigators in finding the best spots to search and pick up evidence from, which also saves a lot of time, as time is a crucial factor in investigations," he said.
Breakthrough
He said Dubai Police started using arson dogs in 2005 and the dogs contributed to discovering the point where fires started at in many major blazes that broke out in Dubai.
Major Al Shamsi said the department has trained two arson dogs and will train two more soon.
"We are training these dogs locally and tapping local expertise in the training," he said.
Major Al Shamsi said dogs at Dubai Police's canine department helped in investigations of various cases including those involving fires and drugs.
There are currently a total of 75 dogs at the department and they are trained to carry out various security checks, discoveries and help in investigations.
"Police dogs generally have become an integral part of police investigations and the security organisations, as they are needed for sensitive jobs and have proved their success in solving many cases," Major Al Shamsi said.
More from UAE Crime
More from UAE
Community Reports
-
Mirror, mirror show me the way
Driver on Salam Street had so many boxes and fruits piled into car, he would not be able to view rear or right side mirrors
-
Parents should be more vigilant
Reader's picture highlights risk of negligence by caretakers
-
Warming up to ‘Mobilise the Earth' theme
Dubai school dedicates a whole week to celebrating Earth Day with can-collection drives, sapling plantation and painting competition among others
-
Drivers using mobiles put others' lives at risk
Speeding is dangerous for the driver and other motorists
Latest news
- Youngsters dance and raise cash for charity
- Dubai departments upgrade services
- Get yourself a free test for diabetes
- Ensuring a safety net for intellectual property
- Reader's issue addressed
- 5,552 illegals held in Dubai this year
- Man cleared because he took drugs in France
- Man charged with trafficking women
- Auditors to probe Mizin graft case
- Transfusion centre launches new toll free number
- Mirror, mirror show me the way
- Last minute ID rush is on
- No sweat! Book taxi while on Metro
- Secret source scheme reaps rewards
- Breaking down cultural barriers with photographs
