Archaeological Human Remains Detection
Overview
Our detection dogs are used to locate odor associated with buried and aged human remains in archaeological and cultural heritage contexts.
Specialized Detection Context
Archaeological detection differs from forensic and search-and-rescue work. Rather than locating recent remains, dogs work with older, lower-concentration, and more diffuse odor signatures associated with historic and pre-contact burials. Handlers also have different sets of data to work with, and different regulations and best practices to follow.
What the Dogs Detect
Human decomposition produces a complex mixture of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Dogs respond to specific combinations of these compounds, which produce a signature specific to human remains.
In archaeological settings, these signals may persist in soil through decomposition byproducts and environmental processes, even long after visible remains are no longer present.
Odor Movement
Odor does not stay in one place. It moves through soil and across the surface based on conditions such as:
- Soil type and moisture content
- Vegetation density and surface conditions
- Subsurface pathways (root systems or animal burrows)
- Water movement and drainage patterns
- Temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure
Detection reflects where odor is available, not necessarily the exact burial location.
Interpretation
Detection results are interpreted based on:
- Dog behavior and response patterns
- Environmental conditions
- Site context and available data
Handler experience is critical in distinguishing meaningful responses from background scent or environmental noise.
Limitations
Detection dogs identify the presence of odor associated with human remains.
They do not:
- Confirm the presence of human remains
- Determine age or cultural affiliation
- Define exact burial boundaries
