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Dog 'Scent Lineups' Called Stupid Pet Tricks

False convictions raise doubts about police use of sniffing dogs

By Jane Yager,  Newser Staff

Posted Nov 4, 2009 8:45 AM CST
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(Newser) – After years sniffing out drugs and explosives, police scent dogs have found a controversial new line of work: In "scent lineups," a dog given a scent from the scene of a crime picks out a matching smell from a lineup of swabs taken from suspects. Advocates say scent lineups have proved their worth, but those falsely convicted in lineups beg to differ.

One man convicted in a scent lineup served eight months for murder before the real killer confessed to the crime; another sniffed out for burglary was released from prison after store videos showed he didn't look like the burglar. Critics warn that scents are easily cross-contaminated and scent lineups poorly controlled, but New York, Texas, and many other states continue to use the technique, the New York Times reports.

Explosives-sniffing dog Kali is led by University of Washington police officer Kenny Johns as they inspect cars in a lot adjacent to the Seattle Seahawks' stadium Oct. 18, 2009, in Seattle.
Explosives-sniffing dog Kali is led by University of Washington police officer Kenny Johns as they inspect cars in a lot adjacent to the Seattle Seahawks' stadium Oct. 18, 2009, in Seattle.   (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
University of Michigan police officer Michael Mathews directs his dog Tazer during a check of bags entering Michigan Stadium for an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Sept. 26, 2009.
University of Michigan police officer Michael Mathews directs his dog Tazer during a check of bags entering Michigan Stadium for an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich., Sept. 26, 2009.   (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
A member of the Connecticut State Police canine unit walks with a dog, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009, in New Haven, Conn.
A member of the Connecticut State Police canine unit walks with a dog, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009, in New Haven, Conn.   (AP Photo/Jessica Hill)
Bay Area Rapid Transit police dog Irlo on Friday, March 27, 2009, in Oakland, Calif.
Bay Area Rapid Transit police dog "Irlo" on Friday, March 27, 2009, in Oakland, Calif.   (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 11 comments
riffran
Nov 5, 2009 1:49 AM CST
"research"...hit the submit too quick...oooops
riffran
Nov 5, 2009 1:33 AM CST
and we also work at NASA, motorola, and a varitey of high tech electronic , and cutting edge resaerch in the medical field....so take some of you're own advice..and shut up also...buddy
JoeQ
Nov 4, 2009 7:52 AM CST
Geez. That was EVER admissible evidence ANYWHERE?

 
scents • crime scene • evidence • police dogs

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