ASTM F1848-14(2022)

Standard Classification System for Canine Search Resources

ABSTRACT
This classification aids search and rescue managers in ordering resources for search and rescue incidents and to aid dog handlers in communicating the types of tasks for which they and their dogs have trained. This classification is intended as a supplement to the resource typing specifications of the Incident Command System and specifically as a means of typing search and rescue dog resources and is suitable for classifying dog resources for a wide variety of emergency management purposes including both search and rescue and law enforcement incidents. This classification does not attempt to put forth standards of performance or training for dogs or their handlers. Search and rescue dog under this classification is either Type I or Type II, based upon whether or not the dog can effectively discriminate between the human scent of different individuals. Kind classifications of SAR dog resources are based upon the specific tasks for which dogs are deployed and include: Kind A, area search dog; Kind B, avalanche search dog; Kind C, cadaver search dog; Kind D, disaster/collapsed structure search dog; Kind E, evidence search dog; Kind F, railing search dog; Kind G, tracking search dog; and Kind H, water search.
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This standard may be used to classify canine search resources (commonly referred to as search dog teams or crews) for emergency management operations, including search and rescue and law enforcement missions.  
4.2 Classification of canine search resources is based upon the training of the dog and its handler and their ability to perform specific tasks.  
4.3 Canine search resources are classified by category, kind, and type.  
4.4 A canine search resource may be more than one category.  
4.5 A canine search resource may be more than one kind.  
4.6 A particular kind of canine search resource can only be one type.  
4.7 A canine search resource’s type can vary, depending on its kind.
SCOPE
1.1 This classification system defines canine search resources in terms of their training and capabilities.  
1.2 This classification system is intended to aid emergency managers ordering resources for search and rescue incidents. These classifications also provide a means by which dog handlers can convey to emergency management the tasks for which they and their dogs are trained.  
1.3 This classification system does not define standards of performance or training for canine search resources.  
1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2022
• ICS: 13.200 - Accident and disaster control
• Technical Committee: F32 - Search and Rescue
• Drafting Committee: F32.02 - Management and Operations

Relations

• Refers: ASTM F3048-13 - Standard Guide for Swiftwater/Flood Search and Rescue Operations
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2013
• Refers: ASTM F1633-97(2008) - Standard Guide for Techniques in Land Search (Withdrawn 2017)
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2008
• Refers: ASTM F1633-97(2003) - Standard Guide for Techniques in Land Search
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2003
• Refers: ASTM F1633-97 - Standard Guide for Techniques in Land Search
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-1997

Overview

ASTM F1848-14(2022), Standard Classification System for Canine Search Resources, published by ASTM International, provides a structured approach to classifying canine search resources (commonly known as search dog teams) based on their training and deployment capabilities. This standard serves as a critical tool for search and rescue (SAR) managers, incident command authorities, and canine handlers by supplying a common language for identifying and ordering canine search assets for a wide range of emergency management and law enforcement incidents.

The classification outlined in ASTM F1848-14(2022) complements the Incident Command System (ICS) resource typing specifications, facilitating coordinated use of specialized canine teams during critical operations. Importantly, the standard focuses on classification rather than prescribing or setting performance or training requirements.

Key Topics

• Resource Classification Principles

  • Canine search resources are categorized based on the tasks for which dog/handler teams are trained.
  • Each team may be categorized by their specific task (category), capabilities (kind), and operational duration (type).
  • Search dogs are classified as either Type I or Type II, based on their ability to discriminate between human scents.

• Main Categories of Canine Search Resources

  • Area Search (Kind A): Locating human scent in defined areas, regardless of terrain or minimal structures.
  • Avalanche Search (Kind B): Locating individuals in avalanche debris fields.
  • Cadaver (Human Remains) Search (Kind C): Detecting human remains on land.
  • Disaster/Collapsed Structure Search (Kind D): Searching for live humans or remains in collapsed structures or natural debris.
  • Evidence Search (Kind E): Locating inanimate objects with transferred human scent, can be scent-specific or non-scent-specific.
  • Railing Search (Kind F): Specialized searches (see referenced documents for use).
  • Tracking & Trailing (Kind G): Following the specific path of a person on ground or vegetation by scent.
  • Water Search (Kind H): Detecting scent of humans or remains in bodies of water (including shore, still water, and swiftwater contexts).

• Resource Typing

  • Denotes deployment readiness and logistical needs:
    • 12-hour capability
    • 24-hour capability
    • 72-hour capability (for remote or extended operations)

• Scent Discrimination

  • Teams are further distinguished by the dog’s ability to discriminate between scents, which is critical for some mission types.

Applications

ASTM F1848-14(2022) improves operational efficiency and communication in emergency and law enforcement settings by:

• Assisting incident commanders and emergency managers in accurately requesting and deploying appropriate canine resources according to mission-specific requirements.
• Enabling clear communication between dog handlers and resource managers about team capabilities, ensuring the right resources are matched to the right tasks.
• Supporting multi-agency coordination during multi-jurisdictional responses, such as large-scale disasters, missing persons searches, evidence recovery, and mass casualty incidents.
• Facilitating mutual aid and resource sharing by setting a universally understood system for classification.

This standard is valuable for agencies managing search and rescue operations, canine handlers, law enforcement organizations, and emergency response planners who rely on consistent, precise resource identification and deployment.

Related Standards

Organizations using ASTM F1848-14(2022) may also reference:

• ASTM F1633: Guide for Techniques in Land Search (Withdrawn 2017, but provides terminology and search techniques foundational to this standard)
• ASTM F3048: Guide for Swiftwater/Flood Search and Rescue Operations
• SWGDOG Guidelines: Canine search resource terminology and training protocols

Implementation of ASTM F1848-14(2022) supports conformance with internationally recognized emergency management standards and World Trade Organization (WTO) Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) requirements, promoting interoperability and resource readiness in critical search and rescue operations.

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F1848 −14 (Reapproved 2022)
Standard Classification System for
Canine Search Resources
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1848; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.1.1 area search—a search dog action whereby the dog
attempts to detect the presence of human scent and, if found,
1.1 This classification system defines canine search re-
locate its source within a defined search area.
sources in terms of their training and capabilities.
3.1.2 category—a specific task for which a canine search
1.2 This classification system is intended to aid emergency
resource is trained.
managers ordering resources for search and rescue incidents.
3.1.3 humanremains—allorpartofadeceasedhumanbody.
These classifications also provide a means by which dog
handlers can convey to emergency management the tasks for
3.1.4 kind—a subset of some canine search resource catego-
which they and their dogs are trained.
ries.
1.3 This classification system does not define standards of 3.1.5 scent discrimination—the ability of a dog to distin-
performance or training for canine search resources. guish between the scents of different individuals and to work
an assigned scent to complete a search activity without alerting
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
on scents other than those assigned.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the 3.1.6 tracking—a search dog action wherein a non-scent
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- discriminating dog follows a person’s route by detecting fresh
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical human scent on the ground or by following scent caused by the
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. physical disturbance of substrate such as crushed vegetation,
soil, etc.
2. Referenced Documents
3.1.7 trailing—asearchdogactionwhereinascentdiscrimi-
2.1 ASTM Standards:
nating dog follows a specific person’s route by detecting scent
F1633 Guide for Techniques in Land Search (Withdrawn
on the ground and in nearby plumes.
2017)
3.2 Other terminology included in this guide may be found
F3048 Guide for Swiftwater/Flood Search and Rescue Op-
in Guide F1633 or SWGDOG SC1.
erations
2.2 Other Referenced Documents:
4 4. Significance and Use
SWGDOG SC1 Terminology
4.1 This standard may be used to classify canine search
SWGDOG SC8 Substance Dogs: Human Remains
resources (commonly referred to as search dog teams or crews)
3. Terminology
for emergency management operations, including search and
rescue and law enforcement missions.
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
4.2 Classification of canine search resources is based upon
the training of the dog and its handler and their ability to
This classification is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F32 on Search
and Rescue and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F32.02 on Management
perform specific tasks.
and Operations.
Current edition approved July 1, 2022. Published July 2022. Originally approved 4.3 Canine search resources are classified by category, kind,
in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as F1848 – 14. DOI: 10.1520/
and type.
F1848-14R22.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or 4.4 A canine search resource may be more than one cat-
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
egory.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. 4.5 A canine search resource may be more than one kind.
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
4.6 A particular kind of canine search resource can only be
www.astm.org.
http://casgroup.fiu.edu/pages/docs/1062/1335294274_SC1_Terminology_ one type.
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5 4.7 A canine search resource’s type can vary, depending on
http://casgroup.fiu.edu/pages/docs/1062/1335294313_SC8_Human_Remain-
s.pdf its kind.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F1848 − 14 (2022)
5. Canine Search Resource Category 6.5.3 Swiftwater —A canine search resource trained to
search on moving water for human scent or the scent of human
5.1 Category identi
...