MY JOB is to find hidden electronic evidence containing images and videos that will help identify and rescue children and adults victimized.
ON AVERAGE I locate a minimum of TWO missed devices after law enforcement completes their search. Most of the time, I find the evidence needed to prosecute the criminals and identify the victims.
HOW DO I DO IT I am trained to locate a common chemical that is on all electronic reading devices, including:
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Dogs trained in electronic device detection can sniff out the chemical compounds used to manufacture electronics. These compounds are found in everything from small thumb drives to cell phones. Electronic detection K-9s are trained to find trace amounts in the smallest of electronics, such as microSD cards. These dogs can detect electronics of all shapes and sizes because all electronics have a circuit board.
Electronics are manufactured with triphenylphosphine oxide (TPPO), which covers the circuit boards to prevent overheating. Another common compound is hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone (HPK), which can be found in CDs, DVDs, Blu-Rays, and floppy disks. Electronic sniffing dogs are trained to detect these chemical compounds and alert their handlers to them.
When people come together to do what is right for our children, amazing things will happen. Help place Electronic Detection K9s with law enforcement. The more K9s donated to help fight children's crime, the more children will be rescued and more offenders will be prosecuted. Become part of Defenders For Children's. We can't do it without your help.
While the K9 is a great tool in locating devices in cases, the dogs are also used to help investigators get their minds off of the images and predators they deal with day in and day out. These dogs are also useful in comforting child victims during interviews, as well as de-escalating the scene during a search warrant involving child victims.
On Average, the Electronic Detection K9 is able to locate two or more devices missed by law enforcement during a search. ED K9s help convict:
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Innocent victims of internet crimes
Most victims of internet crimes don’t just face immediate danger but have to face the reality that once their image is placed onto the internet and distributed online, their victimization sometimes never ends. This can lead to long-term psychological problems that have led to everything from poor self-image to relationship difficulties and even suicide. In one investigation alone, K-9 “Bear” was able to locate a device that contained 80,000 images of child pornography. Had this device been missed by investigators, these victims would not have been discovered, and the offender may not have been prosecuted. A small Micro SD card can hold Millions of images of children being abused and trafficked.
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It's essential NOT to miss a single device
The children need the evidence to be found so they can be identified, and rescued, and stop the offenders from hurting more. It is extremely important to find the evidence to stop and prosecute each offender. It is estimated 70% of child sex offenders have 1 to 9 victims of sexual abuse, while 30% have 10 to 40 victims. 30% or more victims repeat the cycle of abuse.
We also rescue the dogs
We prefer to use rescued retriever dog breeds in our Electronic Detection K-9 training program. By utilizing rescues and other organizations to obtain dogs for their program, we are not only saving innocent victims of child pornography, but we are also saving dogs that would have otherwise been euthanized or continued to stay in poor situations. The dogs are rescued and trained in a loving environment, and once placed with a handler, will be given a purpose and remain with that handler in their "forever home."
Mental health benefits to investigators and victims
Investigators working in child pornography cases often state that having to see the material and victims day in and day out takes a toll on their mental health and well-being. Known as secondary Trauma. Investigators who currently have K-9 partners report that their stress levels and well-being have greatly improved due to the companionship of the K-9. While the K-9 is a great tool in locating devices in cases, the dogs are also used in the office to help investigators decompress and get their minds off of the images and predators they deal with day in and day out. The K-9s have also been useful in comforting child victims during interviews, as well as de-escalating the scene during a search warrant involving child victims.
Additional benefits to Law Enforcement
When asking investigators of internet crimes against children if they believe they get all of the evidence at a search warrant, overwhelmingly, they replied that they never feel as if they were able to locate it all. This fact weighs heavily on officers and investigators involved in these types of crimes. The use of the K-9 has added confidence and peace of mind to the investigators that they are locating all of the devices and are able to leave a scene knowing that victims haven’t been left behind. The K-9s save investigators time, as search warrants can often take many hours or even days to complete. Utilizing the K-9s helps eliminate some of the time investigators have to spend in less-than-desirable conditions in some of these warrants.
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