Fire Investigation Dog for the Detection of Hydrocarbons

In 1964 Karenswood (International) Ltd began a research programme designed to evaluate the potential of dogs as “Hydrocarbons Detectors”. The idea being that dogs so trained could assist fire investigation teams to establish:

  •  the likely cause of a fire (whether accidental or malicious);
  • the means of ignition;
  • the accelerant used;
  • the precise location of the seat of the fire.

The results achieved were truly phenomenal and Karenswood (International) Ltd trained the world’s first dog for the detection of hydrocarbons in illegal fire settings  –  the Fire Investigation Dog.

As a consequence of the successful project, Karenswood (International) Ltd was invited to formulate the Standard Operating Procedures for the British Home Office designed to govern the training and operational deployment of all dogs in the British Fire Service.

The practice of the use of dogs for hydrocarbons detection in fire investigation quickly gained international recognition and Karenswood (International) Ltd gave advice and assistance to fire services of the United Kingdom and across the world  –  just one of the many successful research and development projects conducted by the Karenswood Organisation.​

Where there is a perceived need, the Karenswood Organisation may be called upon to supply trained dogs and / or handler training courses for Fire Service personnel.

Karenswood (International) Ltd assisted in establishing the Fire Investigation Dog Section for an overseas Government. One of the dogs, supplied fully trained by Karenswood, was thought so highly of that he was awarded the “Animals Asia’s [sic] Dog Devotion Award for Outstanding Service” and was celebrated on a special edition of that country’s national postage stamp.

“Star”, Europe’s first Fire Investigation Dog for the Detection of Hydrocarbons at his Passing Out Parade.