Handler Name: Date:
Name of Canine: Location:
Evaluator(s):
Terrain and Weather:
Time Subject Placed: Time Evaluation Ended:
Description of Alert and Indication:
[ ]
Search Plan Described
[ ] Handler Must
Carry Appropriate Equipment for Evaluation to Proceed
Time Team Entered Field: Time Subject Found:
REQUIRED
SKILLS:
Successfully
Not
Comments:
Demonstrated
Demonstrated
Handler describes and carries out
appropriate search plan [
]
[ ]
Canine under control during evaluation [ ] [ ]
Canine demonstrates appropriate agility [ ] [ ]
Subject found (or reasonable explanation for not finding) [ ] [ ]
Handler recognizes and records alerts [ ] [ ]
Canine independently performs indication only upon find [ ] [ ]
Handler recognizes indication [ ] [ ]
Canine performs refind or bark alert allows location of subject [ ] [ ]
Handler accurately reports area covered and route [ ] [ ]
Handler accurately reports location of alerts/clues [ ] [ ]
Handler accurately reports location of subject [ ] [ ]
Handler follows appropriate crime scene preservation measures [ ] [ ]
Handler covers area appropriately and reports reasonable POD [ ] [ ]
Handler ensures health and safety of canine
before, during and [
]
[ ]
after evaluation
Additional Comments:
[ ] The handler has passed this evaluation and
is recommended for Certification (All other
field evaluations passed)
[ ] The handler has failed this evaluation and must appeal or re-test
Evaluator(s) Signature:
Date:
INSTRUCTIONS FOR EVALUATORS
This evaluation is designed to ensure that dog/handler teams possess a minimum set of skills necessary for wilderness search. The credibility test for existing field-ready teams will be the only field assessment of these skills; evaluators must therefore impartially and honestly evaluate each team for the skills listed on the evaluation form. These guidelines represent the consensus for conducting the evaluations so that each team's skills are assessed consistently, regardless of who the individual evaluators are.
Basic Guidelines:
Each evaluator on the Evaluation Team must have a separate copy of the evaluation form. The dog team will be independently assessed by each evaluator; at the end of the evaluation, complete the evaluation form, sign at the bottom, and then compare your evaluation form with the other Evaluators. Before presenting the results to the handler, the evaluators must reach a unanimous decision on each of the skills and the outcome of the evaluation.
Evaluators may end the evaluation at any time for safety reasons; only the MSP may cancel or reschedule evaluations once a handler has committed to the time and location.
Evaluators can specifically request that the handler demonstrate any of the required skills prior to, during, or at the conclusion of the evaluation.
All items are pass/fail, and all skills must be successfully demonstrated for the handler to pass the evaluation. The final item above your signature is your endorsement of the team, regardless of the outcome of the skills, and will not affect the team's field ready status.
Evaluators are not to assist the handler prior to or during the evaluation, beyond providing the information below and clarifications as needed. Your role should be equivalent to that of an 'untrained walk-along' observer.
Checklist for conducting the evaluation:
Ensure that the area selected for the evaluation is appropriate: the terrain should be predominantly wooded with underbrush, and should be representative of a typical wilderness area found in Massachusetts. The handler should be unfamiliar with the evaluation area. [Has not trained or searched in the evaluation area.]
The area will have 2 easily recognizable boundaries (roads, major trails, utility lines, stream, etc.); the other 2 boundaries may be delineated by a compass bearing or terrain features.
Give the handler several photocopies of a map of the evaluation area, with the boundaries clearly indicated. While placing the subject, the handler should familiarize herself with the map and develop a search strategy. [The handler should know that a single subject will be placed completely within the area you have chosen.]
The subject is unknown to the dog and handler. Place the subject on the ground so that he/she is not readily visible to the dog or handler. The subject can be covered with a tarp, leaves, deadfall, etc., but must still be accessible to the dog.
Evaluators are responsible for the subject's safety during the evaluation: be sure the subject is dressed appropriately and has a radio. Record the subject's location on your map. Before leaving the subject, be sure the subject knows where he is and check his radio.
The subject must be in place for 30-60 minutes prior to beginning the evaluation. [The subject is not allowed to change locations once placed or during the evaluation.]
You may check the handlers equipment to be certain it is appropriate for the weather and terrain. [Evaluators may cancel evaluation if not appropriate.]
Prior to entering the field, the handler must describe, draw, and explain his search strategy. [The handler may amend his strategy at any time, as field conditions warrant.] Ask the handler to describe the dog's alert (the dog's behavior when he encounters human scent) and the dog's indication (the way the dog communicates to the handler that he has found the subject). [During the evaluation, the handler must point out alerts to the evaluators, and must clearly state when the dog indicates a find.]
During the evaluation, the handler should trace her route and be able to reasonably approximate her location at the evaluator's request. The handler should be able to report the subject's location to within approximately 100 yards.
When the subject is found, the handler should note her access route, and instruct evaluators to be prepared to reverse their route in the event that the subject's location is a crime scene. MSP may provide additional instructions for crime scene preservation, and may place 'evidence' near the subject. [Evidence should not be disturbed when the subject is found.]
If the subject is found within 10 minutes of the beginning of the test, or if the evaluators have not had a chance to adequately assess the handler's field performance, the evaluation may be continued for up to 1 hour as per the evaluators' instructions.