Understanding the Scientific Basis Behind Using Canines for Electronic Storage Detection: Perspectives for Future Research Needs

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Abstract
Dogs are routinely utilized as chemical detectors within law enforcement, disaster response, military, and medical fields. Their excellent olfactory abilities, as well as their mobility, adaptability, and trainability, position them as an invaluable tool for real‐time odor detection. An emerging and specialized discipline in the forensic canine industry is the detection of electronic storage and mass storage devices. They are commonly referred to as electronic storage detection (ESD) canines, electronic device detection canines, digital evidence canines, electronic media detection dogs, and “digi” dogs. Trained in detecting electronic storage devices such as USB drives, SIM cards, and cell phones, ESD canines play an increasingly vital role supporting investigations involving cybercrime, child exploitation, fraud, and contraband detection in correctional facilities. Despite their proven operational success, the field remains limited by gaps in training—standardization, evaluation, and development of accurate training aids—as well as scientific validation of odor profiles emitted from devices of interest. Being deployed as a chemical sensor in forensics, ESD canines should be backed by scientific research that supports their reliability, similar to laboratory‐based detection methods. This perspective reviews the current state of ESD canines in forensic science, highlighting their biology, training, applications, and challenges. Future avenues of research are considered and discussed, with an emphasis on providing a wider breadth of understanding and scientific validity to the use of ESD canines and the science behind electronic device detection.
Funding Information
  • Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education

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