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Scent articles are one of the most important aids for a working K9 team. The proper scent collection is without a doubt the most critical part to get a K9 team started. When possible let the K9 Handler collect the article to avoid contamination. Scent articles can be almost anything that a missing person has been in contact with. Clothes, tooth brush, pillow case, shoes, etc. No one should come into physical contact with any articles of the missing person. If for some reason the article becomes contaminated, the person that contaminated the article must be present for the K9 Team. Preserve the area. This will allow the K9 handler access to select the best available scent article to be used. If the scent article needs to be transported to the site place it in clear plastic ziploc bag using latex gloves or other items such as tongs or a coat hanger . Be extremely careful not to touch the article with your body. If no article is available, K9's can use footprints or an individuals personal vehicle providing that he/she was the last one to drive it. If using a footprint, preserve the area around the footprint and prevent anyone or anything from destroying the area around the footprint. How To Make a Scent Article Scent articles are easy to make and could make the difference on the mission's outcome. 1. Wash an article of clothing (i.e. sock, T-shirt or a bandana works well and is less bulky) in a non- scenting detergent. 2. Let the person that will be making the scent article pull it out of the dryer to avoid contamination. 3. Have the person wear the article for 15-30 minutes to allow the article to collect the scent. 4. Have the person making the article place it in a Zip Lock bag and seal it. 5. Write the name of the person the scent article is of on the bag along with the date that it was made. 6. Place the bag in the freezer to preserve it. NOTE: When you change your clocks for daylight savings time you should remember to refresh the scent article and also change the batteries in your smoke detector. Do not let anyone touch the scent article other than the one making it. If the article has to be touched by another person WRITE the name of the person on the bag and highlight CONTAMINATED BY. This is critical for Parents making a scent article for a baby. As babies can't tie the scent article around their own head like a cowboy, therefore you will have to touch it. If the article becomes contaminated the person must be on site when the K9 team arrives. How To Make A Copy of Your Foot Print Foot prints will help the ground searchers tell what size and kind of shoe you are wearing. This is vital to be able to tell the direction you where heading and possibly tell if you are injured by how the print was made. 1. Place a folded towel on the ground. 2. Place a piece of aluminum foil big enough for your shoes to fit in on top of the towel. 3. Carefully stand with both feet beside each other on the foil . 4. You will see an imprint on the foil with all the grooves from your shoe. Do not fold or mangle the foil when complete. Place it in a safe place in the event a emergency occurs. |
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