Cadaver Dog Training
2025 Course Offerings
All classes are held on the campus of Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC
Cadaver Dog Training - Level One
Additional 2025 Dates TBD | Limit 18 Teams
This course is designed to focus on the foundation work for beginner HRD canines. It can also serve as a reinforcement of foundations and source exposure for the more advanced K9s. Both groups are welcomed. We will group K9s accordingly while working human remains, buried remains, bone fragment, as well as other lower threshold source materials. Part of the course will focus on search theory and best practices for successful case recoveries. Included with this course will be classroom lectures including actual case reviews of successful recoveries. Instructors will share “lesson’s learned” on actual cases.
The training will include classwork on the basics of the K9 olfactory system and scent detection work, and the reinforcement of how to limit handler error and intentional and unintentional cuing. A focus of our training is to develop the working K9 to be able to detect, and give a final response at source independently and confidentially on its own. Odor recognition, commitment to odor, and clear final responses of the K9 will be a focus.
One K9 per one handler, lunch will be provided on Friday and Saturday. The course is limited to the first 18 K9 teams to register, and a couple of spots are available for observers by special permission at $250.00.
Water Recovery of Human Remains
Summer 2025 Dates Coming Soon | Limit 12 teams
Water recovery of human remains is one of the most complex and vital components in
missing persons investigations. With over 70% of the Earth’s surface covered in water,
the likelihood of encountering cases involving aquatic environments is high.
Victim recovery in water is necessary in a wide range of scenarios:
- Drowning accidents (swimming, boating, etc.)
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Homicide cases involving evidence disposal or intended drowning
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Natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, or tsunamis
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Suicide cases
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Autism-related incidents, especially with children drawn to water
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Dementia-related wandering
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Psychological disorders, substance use, and accidental falls near waterways
Searches in water present unique challenges. Currents, reduced visibility, scent dispersion, and the variability of human decomposition in aquatic environments all complicate recovery efforts. Furthermore, technology for underwater recovery is often limited, and few K9 training programs exist that adequately prepare handlers for these conditions.
Our HRD K9 Water Recovery Level One course addresses these challenges head-on. Morning classroom sessions will be held at Western Carolina University, with field training conducted on the picturesque lakes, rivers, and creeks throughout Jackson and Macon Counties, NC. A variety of boats will be used during instruction, but due to the individualized nature of watercraft training, enrollment is limited to a small group of committed K9/handler teams.
Burned Human Remains HRD K9 Training
May 16-18, 2025 | Limit 15 teams | $525.00
Observer Spot: $315.00 (Register with same link below)
Registration Opens Tuesday, April 22nd at 8:00 am EST
Official K9 vaccination records and police/fire/rescue credentials will be required
at the time of registration for anyone wishing to participate. PLEASE HAVE DOCUMENTS
READY TO UPLOAD AS A CLEAR JPG OR PDF DURING THE REGISTRATION PROCESS. (Proof of police/fire/rescue affiliation can include an issued ID, employment verification
paperwork, or other official documentation.)
Register
We are excited to offer an exclusive training opportunity designed specifically for law enforcement, fire services, and formal emergency response personnel working with Human Remains Detection (HRD) canines. Due to the sensitive and advanced nature of this course, official agency credentials will be required at the time of registration.
Led by Dr. Lisa Briggs and experienced instructor Edwin Grant, this course partners
with Western Carolina University’s Department of Forensic Anthropology to provide
a high-caliber of human remains detection K9 training. This course is built on previous
WCU HRD K9 Trainings and will include a hands-on component using a controlled-burn
scene with human remains.
Course Highlights:
-Hands-on training at a controlled-burn scene utilizing human remains
-Focus on full-body burned cadaver recovery, cremains, burned tissue, and bone fragments
-Training sessions held on campus and at off-site facilities across Western North
Carolina
Please note: This course is intended for experienced HRD K9 teams. Handlers and K9s
should be well-versed in human odor detection and have a reliable final indication.
If you're not yet comfortable with the realities of working with burned human remains,
we invite you to explore our other cadaver K9 training options provided through WCU.
We are also happy to coordinate customized small-group trainings for agencies, based
on availability.
Spaces are limited. For questions or to verify your eligibility, please contact us at learn@wcu.edu.
REFUNDS:
Refunds are not available for courses after registration. If you wish to transfer your registration to another team member, you MUST contact WCU Educational Outreach at 828.227.7397 or learn@wcu.edu to request this change at least 10 business days in advance.
“Do not expect a HRD K9 to recovery that which it has not been imprinted on, nor expect it to give a reliable and accurate final response if it has not been well trained on the many VOCs of actual human decomposition.” -- Dr. Lisa Briggs
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Thanks to the many cadaver donors who have given their remains in the name of science to Western Carolina University, the craft of training human remains detection dogs is possible.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM:
Western Carolina University's Cadaver Dog Training Workshops are held on the main campus in Cullowhee, North Carolina and surrounding areas. The workshops are offered in cooperation with the Emergency and Disaster Management Program at WCU.
These land-based workshops allow participants to work search areas including grassy fields, mountainous terrain, urban environments, buildings, and vehicles. Participants will have the opportunity to work a wide range of source materials.
More Information
Instructors
Follow @wcucadaverdog on Facebook!
Contact Us
The Division of Educational Outreach
learn@wcu.edu
828.227.7397