A critical review of canines used to detect accelerants within an arson crime scene

O'Hagan, A. ORCID: 0000-0001-5361-8320 and Ellis, H., 2021. A critical review of canines used to detect accelerants within an arson crime scene. Forensic Research and Criminology International Journal, 9 (2): 3, pp. 65-72. ISSN 2469-2794

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Abstract

Accelerant detection canines provide a fundamental role in arson investigations. Statistically, arson and criminal damage accounts for 9 per 1,000 population in the UK.1 Before 1996, fire investigators relied on the olfactory system and basic accelerant detection equipment to locate accelerant traces within arson crime scenes. As a result, canines were adopted as their superior olfactory system was producing precise detections than those of technical equipment. This review proposes that despite their strong sense of smell, the accuracy of detections remains fundamentally unanswered. Although current literature demonstrates extraordinary results from accelerant detection canines, further developments and critical evaluations are required to ensure the process meets forensic standards of practice.

Item Type:	Journal article
Publication Title:	Forensic Research and Criminology International Journal
Creators:	O'Hagan, A. and Ellis, H.
Publisher:	MedCrave Group
Date:	26 August 2021
Volume:	9
Number:	2
ISSN:	2469-2794
Identifiers:	Number Type 1475836 Other
Rights:	©2021 O’Hagan et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.
Divisions:	Schools > School of Science and Technology
Record created by:	Linda Sullivan
Date Added:	07 Oct 2021 09:49
Last Modified:	07 Oct 2021 09:49
URI:	https://irep.ntu.ac.uk/id/eprint/44340

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