Narcotic Drug Smell Mimics for Dog Training at Cynological Departments: Composition, Principle of Action, and Legal Frame work of their Use

Abstract

Introduction. Involvement of cynological departments to narcotics identification is widely used due to high sensitivity of canine olfaction.
Problem Statement. Currently, cynological departments of the MIA of Ukraine can use the samples of original narcotics in detector dogs learning and training for the purpose of developing or maintaining of the corresponding skill. However, narcotics are the substances under control; therefore, special normative procedures for their obtaining, usage, storage, and utilization exist. This order greatly complicates dogs training. The use of original narcotics is reasonable in special cynological schools during basic learning of detector dogs. Further training in departments is oriented to maintain skills and, as a rule, is carried out using pseudo narcotic scents, which does not contain original narcotics and does not possess narcotic activity. Majority of such pseudo narcotic scents is of foreign production and are expensive. This fact does not allow to provide with training aids all the cynological departments of the MIA of Ukraine. Moreover, these pseudo narcotic scents are of limited range.
Purpose. The purpose of this research is to develop domestic pseudo narcotic scents with extended range, which would not possess narcotic activity, but have similar odor properties like original narcotics and are cheaper in comparison to foreign counterparts.
Materials and Methods. Pseudo narcotic scents of cocaine, heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine, opium, and poppy straw were developed. These training aids consist of inert carrying agent and volatile organic impurities from narcotics. These training aids were tested with involvement of 12 detector dogs of the cynological departments of the National Policy of Ukraine and State border service of Ukraine.
Results. Pseudo narcotic canine training aids for cocaine, heroin, marijuana, methamphetamine, opium, and poppy straw were created and tested with detector dogs. It was shown that odorological profile of pseudo scents agreed with original narcotics.
Conclusions. Pseudo narcotic scents which are perspective for introduction into production and further usage as canine training aids in cynological departments have been established.