It saddens me to notify you that on November 8th,2001 at 11:45 AM we had to Euthanize Gypsy because of an incurable Kidney Disease. I will now finish this page as a Memorial To Gypsy and be adding some new items and some pictures soon.
"Gypsy" was a 4 year old black
lab and
was an Accelerant Detection
Dog.Both Gypsy and her human partner
Special Deputy Bruce Ludemann were with
the NIAGARA
COUNTY SHERIFF`S DEPARTMENT
in Western New York State.We are
assigned to the Special
Forces Unit,and the Fire Investigation Unit.(We are not in any way affiliated with the Niagara County Sheriffs Department K9 Unit)
We have been with the Fire
Investigation Unit, formerly known as
the Niagara County Arson Task Force
since 1989 and "Gypsy" is so far the
third accelerant detection dog that I`ve
worked with."Gypsy was a Narcotic dog for a couple years who's duties were mainly working the County Jail checking both visitors and Inmates and working with Customs and the US Coast Guard.Our job with them was mostly checking boats entering US ports from Canada.But since the Spring of 2000 we have "retired" from all narcotic work. I am also training a Border Collie named "Cody" as a Cadaver/Tracking dog. He works well both on and off lead. And More on the Border Collie and Cadaver work by going toCody's Page and to the Cadaver Page
The
Niagara County Fire Investigation
Unit
is
made
up of Members of
all the fire companies in the
county.Both paid and Volunteers who are
trained in fire investigations.Also
members of the area Police agencies
belong to this unit as well.There are
training classes
regulary that cover all phases of fire
investigations. James Volkosh The County Fire Coordinator, and Bill Manth the Deputy Fire Coordinator in charge of fire Investigations have
been one of the biggest
reasons the K9 accelerant detection
program here in Niagara County has been
so successfull.The Niagara County Fire Services
support and faith in the program is whats made
this k-9 team what it is today.I would also like
to thank the area volunteer fire companies for
their help and support, and for including myself
and the k9`s in their training.
Also Al Mack at the Niagara County Sheriff`s
Dept. Forensic Lab for all his help as well in
making this program a success. Also I would like to show my thanks to Kenneth Jonmaire, who was the former Chief Of Forensics at our lab.When I first became interested in accelerant detection K9's, Ken spent alot of time with me on this and helped me out alot. Because of the support of our Lab, it has been in their help in training and their guideance that is why I was able to have 3 great accelerant dogs.There has been so many people who have helped me that it is impossible to thank everyone.I appreciate their help very much. Also I owe alot to my wife,Dorothy who has put up with so much.Always going for some type of training, or those phone calls at 2:00 or 3:00AM to be called to a fire somewhere.
Although These canines have
been very successful assisting in
fire/arson investigations, one must
understand that these canines are only a
tool to assist fire/arson investigators
in locating traces of ignitable liquids.
The canine, however, is not an
infallible tool. There is a high
probability that an ignitable liquid is
present when a properly trained canine
alerts. However, some pyrolysis products
will solicit a positive reaction from
these canines. The canine will never
replace the trained and experienced
fire/arson investigator. The canine
alert does not prove or disprove that a
crime has been committed or omitted. It
certainly does not prove that ignitable
liquids were used in the commission of
the crime of arson or unlawful burning.
Samples must be collected by a qualified
evidence technician familiar with the
canine program and confirmed by the
crime laboratory to determine if the
samples contain ignitable liquids.
Fire/Arson investigators, canine
handlers, and chemist must work in
concert to corroborate each other to
establish that a crime has been
committed or omitted.
Most jurisdictions are utilizing canines
for a number of types of searches. These
searches include fire scenes, equipment
searches for contamination purposes,
vehicle searches both burned and
unburned, crowd searches, clothing
lineup searches, and area
searches.
Gasoline, stove oil, paint thinners, solvents, and other similar fluids, even though highly volatile and flammable, frequently do not burn completely. Identifiable residues of such fluids can therefore be recovered in many cases even after large fires and can be examined for classification and/or identification of the original liquid used.
The best and most reliable method used to analyze arson evidence is the gas chromatograph. The gas chromatograph separates the components of the sample and prints out a chromatographic pattern of the particular petroleum product. If you have any questions or comments feel free to
