Bomb Dogs vs Sensors: Dogs Win Again

History of Explosives Canines, Including Homemade Explosisves and National Standards

Tuesday
,
Aug 25, 2026
10:30 am
-
12:30 pm
Instructor(s):
Dr. Kenneth Furton
View full class scheduleRegister for HITS 2026
Dr. Kenneth Furton
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Class overview

Dr. Ken Furton, ranked as a Stanford/Elsevier World’s Top 2% Scientist, has researched dogs and sensors for 30 years including which is better to detect explosives and the dogs keep winning. Attendees will learn about past and current studies, optimal training aids and methods and the new national standards in this area.

This session explains:

Past and Current Studies

Optimal Training aids

Methods and new National Standards

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About the instructor

Dr. Kenneth Furton

Dr. Kenneth G. Furton is Provost Emeritus and Distinguished University Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Executive Director of the Global Forensic and Justice Center. He is a world-leading scholar in olfaction and dogs and sensors research since 1994. He has supervised the research of more than 160 students and received more than $20 million in grants. He has 34 patents, 761 presentations, 3 books and 341 peer-reviewed publications He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors and Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. In 1998 he developed one of the first scientifically validated canine trainer and detection team certification programs in the US that has evaluated over 2000 teams. He was the founding chair of the Scientific Working Group on Dog and Orthogonal Detector Guidelines (SWGDOG) in 2004, the founding chair of the Organization for Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) Dogs and Sensor subcommittee in 2014, the founding chair of the Dog and Sensors Consensus Body of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences Standards Board (ASB) in 2016 and the founding Director of the International Commission on Detector Dogs (ICODD) since 2025. His dogs and sensors research has researched the detection of live and deceased humans, drugs, currency, accelerants, explosives, mass storage devices, invasive species, corrosion and medical conditions. He has testified as an expert witness in dozens of civil and criminal trials.

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What past attendees say

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Go to HITS. It's a great class. Great conference. This is the third one that I've been to. I try and go every time. They change up the classes. It's offered for detection and apprehension or patrol canines. All the classes are great. You should definitely check it out. I'm going to try and come back next year.

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Greg Edlund
Broward Sheriff Office

Hi, this is Brian Laas. I'm from Arvada, Colorado. This is about my second or third time with HITS, and I've enjoyed it greatly. I like the vast amount of instructors' backgrounds, so even though I've come once or twice before, I'm always gaining a lot of knowledge. This is a great seminar for both the new and the old handlers. I think you can't go wrong coming here. It's a good time and well-spent money for your department.

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Brian Laas
Arvada Police Department

Hi, my name is Neil with U.S. Park Police. This is the first time I ever attend HITS and it's great training. A lot of different courses that definitely benefit my career. I've been a handler for 14 years now. I'm still learning and I recommend people to come down here and learn something.

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Neil
US Park Police

Been to hits a couple times, keeps getting better every time. This year it's been amazing, a lot of people, a lot of great classes, great camaraderie between all the agencies here. It's a good time, I highly recommend it.

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Unknown Attendee

Hi, Mark with BCBK9 here at HITS 2017, lets you know what a success it was. Tons of handlers, tons of great classes. We're really glad that we drove all the way out from Missouri and we're looking forward to 2018 being in DC and we hope to see you all there.

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Mark
BCB K9

Yeah, this is my first time it hits. It was a great time. Actually, I've been to a lot of conferences before. This is definitely the best.

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Attendee
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Secure your seat at HITS 2026

Legal defensibility is not theoretical. It is tested in court.

This class helps handlers and agencies prepare before that moment arrives.

Register for HITS 2026
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Explore other HITS classes

The Drug Canine Legal Update is one part of a broader HITS program designed to strengthen deployment judgment, detection reliability, and operational decision-making in the field. Additional sessions expand that learning across tracking, behavior, detection science, and tactical leadership.

View full class schedule
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