Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
>> SO WE HAVE A SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER TODAY.
THIS IS OFFICER DALE DEKORTE
FROM THE KENT COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE,
AND HE IS AN ARSON INVESTIGATOR.
AND HE HAS BROUGHT HIS GOOD FRIEND AND PARTNER, RITZEY.
>> FOR THOSE THAT DIDN'T GET TO SEE HER,
WE'LL JUST QUICK WALK HER AROUND A SECOND.
>> OFFICER DEKORTE HAS BEEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR 22 YEARS,
AND HE'S BEEN WITH THE KENT COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE
FOR 16 YEARS...
AND HE PLANS ON WORKING WITH RITZY
FOR THE NEXT FIVE TO TEN YEARS.
AND HE'S GOING TO TALK WITH YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT ACCELERANTS
AND ABOUT ARSON FIRES AND HOW RITZEY IS USED
TO HELP SOLVE SOME OF THOSE ARSON CRIMES.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
AS DR. BATTEN STATES, I'VE GOT 22 YEARS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.
MY FIRST JOB THAT I OBTAINED AFTER GRADUATING HERE
FROM GRAND RAPIDS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
WAS THAT OF AN IONIA PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICER.
THAT IS WHERE I GOT INTRODUCED TO FIREFIGHTING.
I DID DO THAT JOB FOR FOUR YEARS,
WENT TO WORK FOR A LITTLE TOWN
CALLED MANTON, OUT BY CADILLAC.
I SERVED UP THERE FOR TWO YEARS.
I ALSO PARTICIPATED WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THERE,
AND THEN, THE MICHIGAN D.N.R. WILDFIRE DIVISION,
YOU KNOW, FIGHTING FOREST FIRES.
I WAS THEN EMPLOYED WITH THE KENT COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
IN 1997, AND HAVE WORKED AT THIS LOCATION SINCE.
I DID VOLUNTEER WITH THE PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR A WHILE,
BUT WITH EVERYTHING THAT WAS GOING ON WITH MY LIFE--
GOING BACK TO SCHOOL, EVERYTHING LIKE THAT-- I GAVE THAT UP.
AND THEN, JUST RECENTLY, I WAS CONTACTED AND ASKED
TO BE A CANINE HANDLER FOR ARSON INVESTIGATION
WITH OUR DEPARTMENT.
I SERVE AS THE MICHIGAN SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION'S FOURTH DISTRICT.
I COVER EVERYTHING FROM LANSING--
OR JUST EAST OF LANSING--
TO THE LAKESHORE, MONTCALM COUNTY, HOWARD CITY,
THAT TYPE OF AREA, DOWN TO THE SOUTH STATE LINE.
IF ANY FIRE DEPARTMENT, POLICE AGENCY, OR ANYONE ELSE
REQUIRES THE ASSISTANCE
OR REQUESTS THE ASSISTANCE OF RITZEY,
I BRING HER TO THE SCENE,
WALK HER THROUGH, SEE WHAT SHE DOES,
AND HELP THEM COLLECT THE SAMPLES
THAT THEY NEED TO PROVE OR DISPROVE THE ARSON.
I'VE BEEN OUT ON FOUR CALLS SINCE I CAME BACK MAY 11th
WITH RITZEY.
THERE WAS A STRUCTURE FIRE IN THE CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS,
WAS NOT ARSON.
IT APPEARS IT'S GOING TO END UP BEING A CANDLE THAT WAS LEFT.
BUT ONE OF THE HOMEOWNERS HAD MADE A STATEMENT THAT,
"I'LL BURN THIS PLACE DOWN BEFORE I LET THE BANK TAKE IT BACK."
NOT THE COMMENT HE SHOULD'VE MADE IN FRONT OF NEIGHBORS
AND THAT TYPE OF STUFF,
BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT HAPPENED, AND SHE PROVED THAT.
HE MAY HAVE LEFT A CANDLE THERE TO BURN DOWN AND START A FIRE,
BUT HE DID NOT USE AN ACCELERANT THAT WAS PETROLEUM-BASED
TO DO SO.
THE ONE ARSON SHE HAS BEEN ON WAS KIND OF A NO-BRAINER--
IT HAD RAINED ALL NIGHT-- SOME KIDS SET A PICNIC TABLE ON FIRE.
THEY WERE JUST BEING DESTRUCTIVE.
IT WAS AT A LOCAL CAMP HERE IN KENT COUNTY,
BUT THEY JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT WAS ARSON,
AND SURE ENOUGH, SHE DID WHAT SHE DOES
BY GIVING A PASSIVE RESPONSE BY SITTING DOWN,
PUTTING HER NOSE TO THE AREA WHERE THE ACCELERANTS WERE USED,
LOOKING BACK UP AT ME, POINTING BACK DOWN.
AND SHE WILL KEEP DOING THAT UNTIL I FEED HER.
THAT IS THE ONLY TIME RITZEY GETS FED,
IS WHEN SHE SMELLS THE PETROLEUM-BASED HYDROCARBONS.
SHE WILL NEVER GET OUT OF A BOWL AS LONG AS SHE WORKS.
SHE EATS RIGHT OUT OF MY HAND EVERY TIME.
SO IT IS SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
THERE ARE DOGS THAT ARE PLAY REWARD.
THE ONLY PROBLEM IS SOMETIMES DOGS DON'T WANT TO PLAY--
THEY JUST WANT TO TAKE A NAP AND BE LEFT ALONE.
DOGS ARE ALWAYS HUNGRY.
THEY ARE WILLING TO WORK.
I HAVE A SHORT VIDEO THAT I WOULD LIKE TO PLAY HERE FOR YOU
A SECOND THAT WAS PROVIDED TO US BY STATE FARM, AS WELL AS THE...
AS WELL AS OUR INSTRUCTORS THAT HAVE PROVIDED THE TRAINING.
(sirens) >> THE APARTMENT FIRE CAUSE
HAS OFFICIALLY BEEN LISTED AS ARSON.
FOR K.P.K.E. NEWS, THIS IS--
>> ARSON WAS THE APPARENT CAUSE OF A THREE ALARM BLAZE
LAST NIGHT IN THE CITY'S GARMENT DISTRICT.
TWENTY-SIX PEOPLE WERE TREATED FOR SMOKE INHALATION,
AND FOUR WERE-- >> MOTHER, HER THREE CHILDREN,
ALL KILLED IN THE ARSON FIRE,
WILL BE REMEMBERED IN A MEMORIAL SERVICE THIS SATURDAY
AT PLEASANT VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCH.
(music)
>> AS THE NATION'S LARGEST HOMEOWNER INSURANCE,
STATE FARM IS WELL AWARE THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH ARSON.
THOSE COSTS ARE ALL TOO OFTEN MEASURED NOT ONLY IN DOLLARS
BUT IN HUMAN LIVES.
BILLIONS OF DOLLARS' WORTH OF PROPERTY
AND HUNDREDS OF LIVES ARE LOST EVERY YEAR
AS A RESULT OF FIRES SET BY ARSONISTS.
BUT IN THE HILLS OF MAINE, STATE FARM AND DOZENS OF FIRE
AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS ARE RAISING UP A NEW BREED
OF ARSON CRIME-FIGHTER,
AND THIS WEAPON AGAINST ARSON COMES IN A PACKAGE
YOU MIGHT NOT EXPECT.
(music) >> THESE DOGS ARE BORN TO WORK.
RITZEY HERE-- SHE'LL GO 24/7.
SHE'LL TAKE A FIVE MINUTE, TEN MINUTE POWER NAP--
SHE'LL BE READY TO GO OUT AND WORK.
SHE HAS BECOME SO ACCUSTOMED TO BEING WITH ME.
I'VE RUN LIGHTS AND SIRENS TO CALLS, BECAUSE SHE GOES OUT
WITH ME EVERY DAY-- I LOOK BACK,
SHE'S FAST ASLEEP IN THE BACKSEAT
AS I'M RUNNING LIGHTS AND SIRENS.
SHE JUST DOESN'T CARE UNLESS IT'S TIME TO GO TO WORK.
THE REASONS THAT WE ARE USING CANINES FOR ARSON INVESTIGATION
IS THEIR OLFACTORY RECEPTORS IN THEIR NOSE.
THESE DOGS HAVE 220 MILLION OLFACTORY RECEPTORS.
WE, AS A HUMAN, HAVE APPROXIMATELY 5 MILLION.
WHEN WE WALK INTO A ROOM, WE CAN SMELL,
"HEY, SOMEBODY BOUGHT PIZZA."
SHE WALKS INTO A ROOM, SHE SEES A CARDBOARD BOX,
PIZZA, CUT IN EIGHT SLICES,
AND SOMEBODY SPILLED AN ONION ON THE THIRD SLICE.
SHE SEES A VERY DETAILED PICTURE OF WHAT IS IN FRONT OF HER.
SAME WHEN SHE GOES TO A FIRE SCENE,
THE ONES I'VE BROUGHT HER TO.
WHEN I WALK HER INTO THE HOUSE,
SHE IS ALREADY TELLING ME
THAT THERE IS PROBABLY NOTHING HERE.
SHE'LL HAVE TO GO THROUGH
AND MAKE SURE IT'S NOT BURIED UNDER SOMETHING,
BUT WHEN SHE WALKS INTO A HOUSE,
I CAN IMMEDIATELY TELL BY HER BODY LANGUAGE
WHETHER OR NOT WE ARE GOING TO FIND SOMETHING.
SOME OF THE TRAINING HOMES THAT WE DID IN MAINE
WERE HOMES JUST LIKE YOU SAW ON THAT VIDEO
THAT WERE COMPLETELY BURNED OUT.
THAT IS WHAT WE ARE GOING INTO
WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT THESE ARSONS OR WORSE.
IT COULD BE JUST A BIG PILE LAYING THERE.
WHEN SHE GOES IN, SHE WALKS AROUND,
SHE LETS ME KNOW RIGHT AWAY
WHETHER OR NOT THERE'S SOMETHING THERE.
SHE MIGHT LOOK AT-- WHAT WE CALL A "SECONDARY HIT" ON IT.
SHE'LL WALK BY, HER HEAD WILL SNAP.
SHE WILL REMEMBER THAT SPOT TO COME BACK TO
AND I'LL BE ABLE TO SHOW YOU WHEN WE DO A DEMONSTRATION...
THESE DOGS REMEMBER WELL.
WHEN WE GO THROUGH THE TEST THE FIRST TIME,
SHE MAY PICK UP ALL SEVEN OR EIGHT DROPS THAT I PUT OUT.
SHE MAY ONLY GET SIX OF THEM, BUT I CAN GUARANTEE YOU,
SHE WILL GET EIGHT FOR EIGHT THE NEXT TIME,
BECAUSE SHE MAY HAVE WALKED PAST ONE,
SMELLED IT, LOOKED AT IT,
BUT SOMETHING CAUGHT HER NOSE FURTHER DOWN
THAT WAS MORE INTERESTING TO HER.
BUT SHE WILL GET ALL EIGHT ON THE NEXT TRY.
THE OTHER REASON THAT WE ARE USING CANINES IS BECAUSE WE,
AS HUMANS, CAN BE LED OR PUSHED INTO A DIRECTION.
WHEN I GO AND I TALK WITH THESE FIRE INVESTIGATORS,
THAT THEY TRY TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE--
THEY LOOK AT BURN PATTERNS, SMOKE PATTERNS ON THE WALL,
WHAT IS DAMAGED, HOW MUCH IS DAMAGED.
THEY ARE LOOKING FOR WHAT THEY HAVE BEEN TRAINED TO LOOK FOR.
SHE HAS NO IDEA WHAT TO LOOK FOR.
SHE KNOWS PETROLEUM-- "I WANT PETROLEUM.
"IF IT'S HERE, I'M GOING TO FIND IT-- THAT WAY, I GET FED."
THE FIRE INVESTIGATORS LOOKING HERE-- "THE FIRE DAMAGE'S HERE,"
BUT IF HE'S MISSING THE POURED ROOM THAT IS SLIGHTLY CHARRED,
BUT THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED ITSELF.
THE PERSON THAT LIT THE FIRE CLOSED THE DOOR, IT BURNED,
IT SHUT ITSELF DOWN...
HOWEVER, THE OTHER AREA THAT WAS BURNED
IS COMPLETELY BURNED UP AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT
DID A GREAT JOB OF WASHING EVERYTHING
OUT THE SIDE OF THE HOUSE THAT IS NO LONGER THERE.
SO SHE IS UNBIASED.
SHE'LL GO THROUGH THE ENTIRE SCENE
AND SHE WILL FIND THAT PETROLEUM IF IT'S THERE.
THE THIRD REASON THAT WE USE THE DOGS
IS FOR THE SCENT DISCRIMINATION.
THEY CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE.
SHE IS NOT TRAINED ON ALCOHOL--
ISOPROPYL, THOSE TYPE OF ALCOHOLS--
BUT IN MAINE, THROUGH THEIR TRAINING,
THEY HAVE FOUND THAT THESE DOGS WILL HIT ON IT.
THEY WILL COME UP, THEY WILL STOP, THEY WILL SNIFF IT,
THEY'LL KEEP CIRCLING IT.
THEY KNOW IT'S SOMETHING THAT SHOULDN'T BE THERE,
BUT THEY KNOW IT'S NOT THE PETROLEUM,
SO THEY KNOW NOT TO SIT BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT TO GET FED FOR IT,
AND THEY CONTINUE ON TO HUNT
FOR WHAT THEY KNOW THEY WILL GET FED FOR.
WE WILL THROW DOWN A MARKER, WHICH IN THIS CASE,
IS JUST A GOLF TEE THAT WE THROW DOWN--
A NICE WHITE GOLF TEE IN A BLACK BURNED OUT BUILDING
SHOWS OUT REALLY WELL.
FROM THERE, THE DOG WILL CONTINUE TO WORK.
THE DOG IS THE SCENT DISCRIMINATION.
THE TRAINING AID THAT WE USE FOR ARSON CANINES
IS 50 PERCENT EVAPORATED GASOLINE
USING THE HEAVY FRACTION.
EVERYBODY HERE HAS SOME PRETTY GOOD CHEMISTRY, I'M TAKING IT?
IN ORDER TO BE HERE TODAY?
WE TAKE THE 200 MILLILITERS OF GASOLINE, WE BOIL IT--
AND I USE THAT TERM GENEROUSLY, "BOIL,"
BECAUSE IT'S VERY FLAMMABLE.
WE BRING IT DOWN TO 100 MILLILITERS,
AND THAT 100 MILLILITERS THAT STILL LEFT
IS WHAT I USE AS A TRAINING AGENT.
THE REASON I USE THAT IS THAT FALLS
IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SPECTRUM.
IF YOU HAVE DIESEL FUEL ON THIS END,
AND SOMETHING AS LIGHT AS A LIGHTER FLUID--
CHARCOAL LIGHTER FLUID-- ON THIS END,
50 PERCENT EVAPORATED GASOLINE FALLS IN THE MIDDLE.
YOUR REGULAR UNLEADED GASOLINE FALLS LIGHTER THAN THAT,
YOUR DIESEL FUEL IS UP AT THE TOP.
THAT IS A HEAVY, OILY PETROLEUM SUBSTANCE.
ANYBODY GOT AN IDEA HOW MUCH OF HER NOSE--
WHAT PERCENTAGE OF HER NOSE IS FOOD-DRIVEN?
ANYBODY WITH DOG THAT KNOWS THIS?
FIFTY PERCENT.
SHE USES HER NOSE FOR FINDING FOOD--
THAT'S 50 PERCENT IS DEDICATED TO
"IS THIS SOMETHING THAT I CAN EAT?"
WHEN YOU SEE A DOG OUT WALKING AND THEY'RE SNIFFING THE GROUND,
THAT 50 PERCENT OF THEIR NOSE
IS TIED TO ONE-EIGHTH OF THEIR BRAIN
THAT SAYS, "CAN I EAT THIS?
"AND IS THIS WHAT I WANT?"
THAT IS WHY THESE DOGS DO SO WELL,
BECAUSE THE BRAIN IS ALWAYS THINKING,
"IF I SMELL AND IT'S THE RIGHT SOURCE, I GET FED."
HERE'S WHERE WE BREAK THAT, THOUGH,
BECAUSE EVERY GAS STATION,
SHE'D BE SITTING AND GETTING FED, RIGHT?
SHE'D SIT THERE ON THE CEMENT OF THE GAS STATION AND WANT FOOD.
THE ONLY TIME SHE GETS FED
IS WHEN I AM WEARING THE FOOD POUCH.
SHE KNOWS WHEN I'M NOT WEARING THIS,
THAT IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT SHE FINDS.
SHE CAN SIT ALL SHE WANTS...
SHE KNOWS SHE'S NOT GONNA GET FED UNLESS THIS IS ON.
SHE HAS LEARNED AND HAS BEEN TAUGHT TO IGNORE IT
WHILE THIS IS NOT ON.
ON DEMONSTRATIONS AND WHEN I GO ON LEAVE TODAY,
WE WILL WALK PAST THE SPOTS WHERE THE TRAINING SUBSTANCE
HAS BEEN PLACED.
SHE'LL JUST KEEP ON WALKING-- SHE DOESN'T CARE
BECAUSE SHE KNOWS THE FOOD POUCH IS NOT ON,
SHE'S NOT GETTING FED,
SO AT THAT POINT, "WHY DO I CARE ANYMORE?"
BUT WHEN THE POUCH IS ON, THAT NOSE IS WORKING,
SHE KNOWS SHE'S GOT TO FIND IT,
SHE'LL COME UP WITH IT.
EVERYBODY KNOW WHAT A SCENT CONE IS,
OR HOW A SCENT CONE WORKS IN THE WIND?
YOU START OUT WITH A SMALL AREA LIKE THIS,
BUT AS THE WIND BLOWS, IT CIRCLES,
THE ITEMS GET BIGGER AND BIGGER,
THE CONE GETS WIDER AND WIDER.
AT ARSON SCENES, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE LAZY.
THEY BRING A GAS CAN WITH THEM.
IF THEY DON'T HAPPEN TO LEAVE IT THERE, THINKING IT WILL BURN UP,
THEY WILL START TO CARRY IT AND THROW IT.
WE'VE LEARNED BY EXAMPLE THAT ALL WE HAVE TO DO
IS SEARCH THE AREA, WE MAY COME UP WITH A GAS CAN.
OBVIOUSLY, A ROUGH TEXTURED PLASTIC GAS CAN,
WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET FINGERPRINTS OFF OF,
BUT A NICE SOLID METAL CAN,
WE WILL BE ABLE TO GET THE FINGERPRINTS OFF OF THAT.
SHE CAN DO THAT TYPE OF WORK.
SHE WILL-- I WILL START HER OFF DOWNWIND,
AND SHE WILL BRING ME TO ANY SOURCE.
IT MAY NOT BE THE GAS CAN THAT I'M LOOKING FOR.
IT MIGHT BE SOME OTHER-- YOU KNOW, SOMEBODY LEFT A BOTTLE
OF GASOLINE SITTING OUT,
AND I'LL EXPLAIN SOME OF THAT HERE SHORTLY,
BUT SHE WILL GO FIND THESE DIFFERENT ITEMS,
AND FROM THERE, WE CAN USE THAT AS EVIDENCE
TO HELP WITH THE ARSON.
ANYBODY KNOW WHAT KIND OF PRISON SENTENCE YOU GET
IF YOUR ARSON CAUSES DEATH?
IT'S A LIFE OFFENSE.
JUST SIMPLY BURNING SOMEBODY'S PROPERTY IS A 10-YEAR.
IF YOU BURN A HOUSE DOWN, SOMETHING LIKE THAT, 20 YEARS.
SO ARSON IS A PRETTY SERIOUS CRIME.
PEOPLE GET HURT, AND THE THING WITH THAT IS,
IT'S JUST NOT NECESSARILY THE PEOPLE AT THAT LOCATION THAT GET HURT,
IT'S INDIVIDUALS RESPONDING-- FIREFIGHTERS, MEDICS--
THESE INDIVIDUALS GET HURT IN THE FIRE.
IF THE FIRE IS SET, CAUSES INJURY TO THEM,
IT'S STILL ARSON-CAUSING DEATH.
"SHOULDN'T HAVE LIT THE FIRE TO BEGIN WITH"
IS WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO.
ALL RIGHT...
ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS THAT WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH
IS WE HAVE METAL CANS THAT WE USE THAT ARE QUART-SIZED,
GALLON-SIZED, EVERYTHING LIKE THAT.
WE HAD PICTURES IN OUR TRAINING
THAT WHEN WE HAVE A BURNED SAMPLE,
THE OFFICERS OR THE FIRE INVESTIGATORS
WANTED TO FILL RIGHT TO THE TOP.
WHY NOT GET EVERYTHING YOU CAN INTO THIS CAN,
BECAUSE IT'S ALL EVIDENCE, RIGHT?
THE ONLY PROBLEM IS WHEN YOU COME TO USE THE MASS SPECTROMETER,
THERE HAS TO BE HEAD ROOM
OR AN AREA TO BAKE THE SUBSTANCE IN.
WITH A CAN FILLED TO THE VERY TOP,
YOU CANNOT SUBMIT YOUR EVIDENCE.
THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO-- SOMEHOW OR ANOTHER,
THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO SPLIT IT SO THAT THERE IS NO MORE
THAN A TWO-THIRD LIMIT ON THIS CAN
SO THAT THEY CAN BAKE IT
AND GET THE READINGS THAT THEY NEED FROM THE MASS SPECTROMETER.
I AM NOT A SCIENTIST, I DON'T UNDERSTAND COMPLETELY
THE MASS SPECTROMETER.
IT WAS EXPLAINED, IT STILL KIND OF WENT OVER MY HEAD.
I'M OUT HERE TO FIND THE PETROLEUM
AND HELP THE SCIENTISTS, THE ATTORNEYS,
THE FIRE MARSHALS COME UP WITH A DETERMINATION
FOR THE CAUSE OF THAT FIRE.
SOME PEOPLE ASK, "WELL, WHEN YOU GO TO THESE FIRES,
"YOU'RE A POLICE OFFICER.
"HOW DO YOU GET TO JUST WALK IN AND DO THE SCENE?"
UNDER A COUPLE OF COURT CASES, WE HAVE "U.S. VERSUS PLACE"--
IT HAS A COUPLE OF ASPECTS TO IT.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT IS ON SCENE FOR AN EMERGENCY.
FOR ANY STRUCTURE FIRE,
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS CONTROL OF THAT SCENE
UP UNTIL THE TIME THEY LEAVE.
THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAN CALL IN ANY RESOURCE THEY DEEM NECESSARY
FOR WHAT THEY CALL "CAUSE AND ORIGIN."
WHAT IS THE CAUSE AND ORIGIN OF THE FIRE?
THEY CAN BRING HER IN, AND IN ANOTHER CASE,
"U.S. VERSUS RACE," THE AIR SURROUNDING THE SCENE IS FREE.
NOBODY HAS CLAIM TO THAT.
IT IS NOT THEIR PERSONAL AIR SPACE.
THEY DO NOT OWN IT, THEY CANNOT TAKE IT.
WITH THAT, THE DOG IS THEN ALLOWED TO GO THROUGH THE SCENE
TO ASSIST THE FIRE IN CAUSE AND ORIGIN, TAKE THE AIR SAMPLE,
AND POINT THE EVIDENCE FOR THE FIRE INVESTIGATORS.
I AM NOT ONE OF THE CERTIFIED FIRE INVESTIGATORS.
THERE'S TWO TRAINS OF THOUGHT ON THAT.
ONE IS NOT TO HAVE ME INFLUENCED BY SEEING THE SCENE
AND COMING UP WITH MY PREDETERMINED NOTION
OF WHAT CAUSED IT.
THE OTHER IS, HEY, IT ONLY WORKS TO YOUR ADVANTAGE
IF YOU KNOW WHERE THAT FIRE STARTED THAT YOU CAN WORK THAT.
THERE IS TWO TRAINS OF THOUGHT.
I'M PRETTY HAPPY WITH NOT KNOWING EXACTLY ALL THE SIGNS
OF A FIRE.
I KNOW SOME.
BUT NOT KNOWING, THEN I KIND OF GO OFF OF THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR,
GET HIS SIDE, AND THEN I DO THE ENTIRE HOUSE.
LIKE I SAID, THE SCENE MIGHT BE CONTAMINATED
IN A DIFFERENT PLACE.
ONE OF MY PARTNERS THAT WAS THERE,
THE FIRE WAS IN THE UPSTAIRS BEDROOM.
THE DOG DID NOT WANT TO GO UPSTAIRS.
THE DOG KEPT WANTING TO PULL HIM TO THE SIDE.
HE WENT-- THAT'S WHERE ALL THE SAMPLES WERE ON THE CARPET.
COULDN'T SMELL IT OVER ALL THE SMOKE AND THE FIRE DAMAGE,
BUT THE DOG COULD, EVEN DOWN ON THE MAIN FLOOR,
SAID, "NOPE, I WANT TO GO OVER HERE.
"THIS IS WHERE THE POUR HAS BEEN."
IT WAS POURED UPSTAIRS AS WELL, BUT THE OTHER ONE NEVER TOOK OFF
OR HE FORGOT TO LIGHT IT OR SOMETHING-- GOT SCARED, RAN OUT.
SO THAT IS WHAT SHE CAN DO.
ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
ANY QUESTIONS-- WIDE OPEN.
>> WELL, WE HEAR ABOUT DOGS BEING DRUG SNIFFERS.
>> MMM-HMM.
>> IS THAT A DIFFERENT KIND OF DOG?
OR IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE TRAINING?
>> IT ALL DEPENDS ON THE TRAINING.
BEFORE I GOT THERE, SHE WAS TRAINED BY A RETIRED FIREFIGHTER
FROM GARY, INDIANA.
THIS DOG WAS IMPRINTED AND WAS ALREADY PRACTICED
ON ITS 50 PERCENT EVAPORATED GASOLINE TRAINING AID,
AND THAT IS THE WAY THE DOG IS FED.
BY THAT, IT IS CONTINUALLY, AND EVERY DAY-- THIS DOG--
ANYWHERE ON A LIGHT DAY, SHE GETS WORKED THREE TIMES.
ON A HEAVY DAY, I WILL WORK HER TEN TIMES.
TODAY, ALREADY, PREPARING FOR THIS CLASS, GETTING HER READY,
SHE'S ALREADY BEEN FED FOUR TIMES TODAY.
BUT BEING A DOG, SHE'S WILLING TO EAT.
SHE'LL DO IT AGAIN.
I WAS TRYING TO DO A TEST ON HOW LONG THE GASOLINE
WOULD LAST AT A FIRE BARN.
I CAME BACK TO IT AN HOUR AND A HALF LATER,
SHE STILL PICKED UP ON THOSE--
THE SENSE OF THE GASOLINE WHERE I PUT THE DROPS
IN A LARGE FIRE BAY.
SO SHE CAN DO FIELD SEARCHES.
THAT'S ONE AREA THAT I LOVE WORKING WITH HER AT,
BECAUSE SHE GETS TO DRAG ME 100 YARDS
THROUGH THE FIELD TO FIND IT.
I WILL HAVE ANOTHER PERSON SET SOMETHING OUT ON THE PROPERTY--
MY WIFE, ONE OF THE NEIGHBOR KIDS--
THEY WILL WALK ALL OVER THE PLACE AND DO ALL THAT.
RITZEY HAS NO CARE WHERE THEY WALKED.
WHEN I'M DOWNWIND FROM HER AND THAT LITTLE LID HAS THREE DROPS
OF GAS ON IT 100 YARDS AWAY, SHE WILL PULL ME TO IT.
SHE DOES THAT SCENT CONE, WHERE SHE GETS IN AND OUT OF THE CONE,
SHE KNOWS TO GET BACK INTO IT, JUST THROUGH HER TRAINING,
AND SHE'LL LEAD ME AND FISHTAIL ME RIGHT UP TO THE SCENE.
I HAVE A COUPLE OF DEMONSTRATIONS
I'D LIKE SOME ASSISTANCE.
ANYBODY-- >> DOES SHE SPEND
THE ENTIRE DAY WITH YOU?
THE ENTIRE 24 HOURS? >> SHE IS WITH ME 24, 365.
THIS GIRL CAN ACTUALLY FLY ON A PLANE.
SOME OF OUR GUYS-- THE ONE FROM SALT LAKE CITY
HAD TO FLY BACK.
WE HAVE A SPECIAL CODE THAT WE USE TO VERIFY
THAT SHE IS A SERVICE DOG,
BUT SHE CAN GO ANYWHERE THAT A PERSON SUCH AS A BLIND PERSON
COULD USE THEIR DOG, SHE CAN GO AS WELL.
I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE HER INTO RESTAURANTS, THAT TYPE OF STUFF,
BUT IF I HAD TO, I COULD.
SHE IS CONSIDERED A SERVICE DOG.
SHE IS A WASHOUT FROM PAWS WITH THE CAUSE.
THE REASON SHE'S A WASHOUT IS SHE'S A FOOD-STEALER.
IF THERE IS A PLATE SITTING THERE WITH A CHEESEBURGER,
THE BLIND GUY IS NOT GOING TO HAVE HIS CHEESEBURGER.
(laughing) SHE IS GOING TO TAKE
THAT CHEESEBURGER EVERY TIME.
YOU CAN TELL HER NOT TO, BUT IF YOU LEAVE IT UNATTENDED,
SHE WILL DO IT.
HER OTHER THING IS-- WHICH IS GREAT FOR THE ARSON FIELD,
IS SHE IS A PULLER.
SHE WILL NOT HEEL.
I WILL NOT TELL HER TO HEEL.
I DON'T KNOW THAT SHE EVEN KNOWS WHAT THAT WORD MEANS.
A COUPLE PEOPLE HAVE TRIED TO, "NO, NO, NO-- HEEL."
IF I AM IN A FIRE SCENE AND THE FLOOR GOES SOFT
OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT, IT'S A LOT EASIER FOR ME
TO PULL 52 POUNDS BACK THROUGH THE FLOOR,
BACK TO SAFETY, OR LOWER HER DOWN AS FAR AS I CAN
TO THE NEXT FLOOR AND LET HER GO
THAN FOR ME TO FALL THROUGH THE FLOOR.
HAVING BEEN A FIREFIGHTER, GOING THROUGH THE FLOOR SUCKS.
THAT IS A VERY BAD DAY.
I'VE HAD MY FACE MASK RIPPED OFF, MY PARTNER GRABBED,
I'M HALFWAY THROUGH THE FLOOR, AND TRYING TO HOLD OUT,
SPREAD EAGLE, THEY ARE GRABBING AT ME, TRYING TO PULL ME BACK.
I THOUGHT IT WAS A SIMPLE MATTRESS FIRE,
GRABBED THE MATTRESS, IT WAS A HOT WATER HEATER
IN THE BASEMENT THAT HAD BLOWN UP,
LIT THE FLOOR BELOW IT...
THAT IN TURN, HAD LIT THE MATTRESS.
IT'S A "LIVE AND LEARN."
I ALMOST WENT TO THE BASEMENT ON THAT ONE.
SO ANY OTHER QUESTIONS?
IF I CAN GET SIX VOLUNTEERS-- ANYBODY WANNA?
YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET BIT, YOU'RE NOT GOING TO GET--
YOU MIGHT GET A LITTLE SLOBBERY ON ONE HAND, BUT...
(chuckling) ALL RIGHT,
IF SIX WANT TO JUMP UP HERE, WE CAN--
EACH OF THESE CANS THAT I'M OPENING IN HERE
HAS BURNED MATERIAL IN THEM.
THIS ONE IS PLASTIC...
AND EVENTUALLY, I'M GOING TO HAVE EACH OF YOU SWITCH CANS
SO YOU WON'T HAVE THE SAME CAN ALL THE TIME.
THIS ONE HERE IS PAD-- CARPET PAD, WHICH WOULD BE IN A HOUSE.
THAT ONE STINKS ALREADY, DOESN'T IT?
(audience laughing) YOU GOT A STINKY ONE.
THIS IS BURNED CARPET...
SMELL NICE AND STINKY?
THIS ONE IS WOOD.
THAT ONE SMELLS NICE, DON'T IT?
THIS ONE IS STRAIGHT PAPER.
AND SHE IS SO SENSITIVE, I ACTUALLY HAVE TO KEEP--
EVEN WITH THE SEALED CANS AND THAT,
JUST SO I DON'T RISK TOUCHING ONE OF THESE CANS
WITH WHAT WE CALL THE "HOT CAN," I HAVE TO KEEP IT SEPARATED.
EVEN IF THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF AIR TRANSFER BETWEEN THEM,
IT WOULD CONTAMINATE THE OTHER CANS THAT IT WAS SITTING WITH.
THAT IS HOW SENSITIVE SHE IS TO THIS.
ALL RIGHT, AND THAT HAS TO STAY OFF TO THE SIDE.
THERE IS YOURS.
WHAT WE CAN DO, IF WE CAN LINE UP RIGHT IN THE FRONT HERE
BETWEEN THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER, COMING THIS WAY.
AND I'M GOING TO-- IF I COULD HAVE SOMEBODY DO ME A FAVOR
WHILE WE'RE HERE, I'M GOING TO GET THIS STARTED.
YEAH.
THAT WAY, IT'LL HAVE SOME TIME TO SIT AND DISSIPATE
BEFORE WE GET HERE.
AND IF WE WANT TO DO IT RIGHT AT THE EDGES OF EACH OF THOSE--
WHAT IS IT-- ONE, TWO, THREE-- KIND OF LIKE THOSE FOUR PILLARS.
DO THEM SOMEWHERE ALONG THE PILLARS THERE.
>> OKAY. >> RIGHT ON THIS WALL.
>> OKAY.
>> YEAH, WE'LL START HERE, SO WE WILL GO THIS WAY.
YEAH, YEAH.
DR. BATTEN'S GOING TO PUT OUT SOME DROPS.
I'M NOT GOING TO KNOW WHERE THEY ARE AT,
SHE'S NOT GOING TO KNOW WHERE THEY'RE AT,
AND EVENTUALLY, WE'LL HEAD OUT TO THE HALLWAY HERE
AND WE'LL BE ABLE TO SHOW YOU HOW NOT EVEN HAVING A CLUE
WHERE THIS IS, SHE WILL GO, SHE WILL PUT HER NOSE TO THE FLOOR,
KEEP GOING AND PICK OFF THESE SPOTS
THAT DR. BATTEN IS PUTTING ONE DROP AT.
IT WILL HAVE A FEW MINUTES TO HAVE EVAPORATED.
EVERYONE KNOWS THAT GASOLINE EVAPORATES PRETTY QUICKLY,
BUT IT WILL STILL BE THERE, AND SHE WILL PICK UP ON THAT.
ALL RIGHT.
ALL RIGHT, WHAT WE-- (mic cuts out)
IF YOU CAN JUST KIND OF HOLD THEM DOWN BY YOUR KNEES.
THERE YOU GO.
AND SHE WILL COME UP AND SHE WILL SMELL EACH CAN.
ANYBODY THAT NEEDS TO COME ON UP, FEEL FREE.
SHE'S JUST WAITING-- SHE'S ITCHING.
SEEK.
GOOD GIRL.
ALL RIGHT, I'M GOING TO SPIN HER OUT INTO THE HALLWAY,
AND GO AHEAD AND SWITCH CANS WITH YOUR PARTNER
SO I DON'T SEE-- (mic cuts out)
ALL RIGHT, SEEK.
ALL RIGHT, WE WILL DO IT TWO MORE TIMES.
AND THAT WAY, I WILL GET ONE MORE FEEDING IN HER FOR TODAY.
WE TRY TO FEED HER ANYWHERE BETWEEN ONE-HALF CUP AND A CUP
EACH TIME THAT WE DO THIS.
IT JUST HELPS HER GET A NICE FULL BELLY,
SHE KNOWS THAT SHE GOT REWARDED FOR SMELLING IT.
OKAY, ALL RIGHT.
GOOD GIRL, GOOD GIRL.
YUP, SHE'S A CRUSHER.
THERE WERE TWO OF THEM IN THE CLASS THAT WERE CRUSHERS.
COME ON, RITZ.
SHE'S KIND OF AN EXPENSIVE DOG
BECAUSE SHE LIKES TO CRUSH THE CANS.
ALL RIGHT.
SEEK.
OH, GOOD GIRL.
AND THAT IS HER PASSIVE RESPONSE.
SHE WILL SIT AND SHE WILL GO.
ALL RIGHT, RITZEY, SEEK.
AND WE HAVE ONE THAT IS JUST OFF.
WE DON'T WANT TO TRAIN OUR DOG TO BE WHAT WE CALL
A "LAST CAN DOG."
A LAST CAN DOG IS ONE THAT HIT ON THE EXAMPLE...
AND KNOWS EVERY TIME THAT IT HITS ON THE EXAMPLE,
IT'S DONE WORKING.
THERE MIGHT BE FIVE, SIX PLACES THAT SHE WOULD NORMALLY HIT,
BUT BECAUSE SHE HIT ON ONE, AND SHE GOT FED, SHE'S DONE.
WE DON'T WANT THAT, SO WE'LL CALL HER OFF,
WE'LL DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
I WILL HAVE HER SEARCH TWO BLANK ROOMS JUST SO THAT SHE KNOWS,
"HEY, WE GOT TO KEEP HUNTING.
"THERE MIGHT BE SOMETHING MORE THERE."
BUT SHE WILL FIND IT.
WE'VE GOT THE DROPS OUT IN THE HALL?
ALL RIGHT.
IF WE CAN HAVE EVERYBODY COME OUT THE DOOR HERE,
WE WILL LINE UP ON THE HALL AND...
WE'LL KIND OF BE ABLE TO SHOW YOU WHAT SHE CAN DO.
IF WE WANT TO JUST PUT THOSE CANS ON THERE.
THE ONE THAT HAS A HOT ONE IN IT, JUST INSIDE THE SINK,
THE OTHER ONES ON TOP.
ALL RIGHT, LET'S EVERYBODY FILL IN.
FILL IN TO ABOUT THIS POINT.
ALL RIGHT, I CAN ALREADY TELL YOU
BY THE WAY SHE IS PULLING ON ME,
SHE KNOWS THERE IS SOMETHING DOWN THIS HALL.
SHE WASN'T HERE FOR IT, SHE DIDN'T GET TO SEE IT,
BUT SHE IS ALREADY PULLING ON ME,
WHICH TELLS ME SHE KNOWS THERE IS SOMETHING.
SHE'S LIKE-- OH, LOOK AT THAT NOSE GO.
SHE'S ALREADY, "COME ON, GET ME DOWN THERE, GET ME DOWN THERE."
JUST BECAUSE I ASKED DR. BATTEN,
I'VE HAD HER PUT TWO DROPS ON THAT SIDE,
FOUR DROPS ON THIS SIDE DOWN THIS HALL--
THE LENGTH OF THE HALLWAY.
THAT'S WHAT WE DID, RIGHT?
WHEN WE GO DOWN THERE, LIKE I SAID,
SHE MIGHT NOT GET ALL OF THEM,
BUT HOW MANY GOOD SAMPLES DO I NEED AT AN ARSON SCENE?
I NEED ONE.
IF THERE'S NO REASON THAT UNLEADED FUEL
SHOULD BE IN A BEDROOM,
NO REASON DIESEL FUEL SHOULD BE IN A BATHROOM.
SO WITH THAT, ALL I NEED IS HER TO HIT ON
A COUPLE OF THE POINTS.
IF SHE GETS ALL SIX OF THEM, GREAT.
IF SHE GETS FOUR OR FIVE, THAT'S GOOD, TOO.
BUT I CAN GUARANTEE YOU ON THE SECOND TIME,
SHE WILL GET ALL SIX OF THEM
BECAUSE SHE MAY HAVE WALKED OVER IT,
BUT SHE KNEW IT WAS THERE.
ARE YOU READY TO GO WORK?
YOU READY?
SEEK.
OH, FOOD COMING OUT.
COME ON.
THAT'S A DISTRACTION.
SHOW ME, SHOW ME.
GOOD GIRL.
AND THAT'S ONE? >> THAT'S ONE.
>> SEEK.
THAT'S TWO. >> THAT'S TWO.
>> A GOOD GIRL.
SEEK.
(mic cuts out)
SEEK.
(mic cuts out) --OVER IT.
SEEK.
COME ON.
SEEK.
(mic cuts out)
SEEK.
(mic cuts out)
IS THAT IT?
OH, GOOD GIRL.
>> I PUT TWO KIND OF CLOSE TOGETHER.
SHE MIGHT NOT HAVE-- >> SHE MISSED ONE?
OKAY.
>> WELL, THEY WERE MAYBE TOO CLOSE.
>> OKAY, BUT WE GOT FIVE OF SIX.
WE GOT WHAT WE NEEDED.
SHE CAN GO THROUGH.
THIS TIME, WE WILL QUICK RUN HER THROUGH,
GIVE HER JUST A COUPLE OF PIECES,
BUT I'M BETTING THAT SHE MIGHT GET SIX OUT OF SIX THIS TIME.
SEEK.
(mic cuts out)
(mic cuts out)
(mic cuts out)
SEEK.
(mic cuts out)
SEEK.
IS THAT ONE SHE MISSED?
SEEK, SEEK.
HEY, DON'T BITE THE SCHOOL. (audience laughing)
OKAY, THAT'S THE BITER.
ALL RIGHT.
>> AREN'T YOU AFRAID SHE'LL BITE YOU
WHEN SHE TAKES IT FROM YOUR HAND?
>> NO, SHE WILL NOT BITE.
I CAN GRAB A HOLD OF HER LOWER JAW HERE-- COME ON.
(laughing)
EVEN IF IRRITATES HER, SHE WON'T BITE ME.
SHE'S BEEN TRAINED NOT TO BITE.
THESE DOGS ARE EXTREMELY PASSIVE.
ROBINS-- (mic cuts out)
SHE STILL HAS HER BIRD DOG IN HER.
SHE'LL GO AFTER THEM AND SHE'S ACTUALLY CAUGHT ONE SO FAR.
BUT AS FAR AS BITING PEOPLE, SHE WILL NOT.
IF I CAN GET SIX VOLUNTEERS, WE'RE GOING TO DO WHAT'S CALLED
A "PERSON SNIFF."
WE'LL DO IT RIGHT HERE IN THE HALLWAY.
OKAY.
YUP, IF WE CAN GET ABOUT SIX PEOPLE HERE.
IF WE CAN PULL HER INTO THE ROOM FOR A MINUTE,
BECAUSE ONCE AGAIN,
I WANT TO MAKE IT SO SHE HAS NO IDEA WHO HAS THIS.
WHO WOULD LIKE A LITTLE BIT OF GASOLINE
ON THE TIP OF THEIR SHOE?
(mic cuts out)
ALL RIGHT, IF WE CAN COME THIS-- SHE'S CHEATING.
(audience laughing)
(mic cuts out)
ALL RIGHT, WHO'S GOT A GOOD TENNIS SHOE
I'M NOT GOING TO DESTROY.
>> YOU CAN USE MINE. >> ALL RIGHT.
NOW, HAD YOU POURED THE-- (mic cuts out)
--GO AHEAD AND DO ME A FAVOR
AND SWITCH IT UP WITH PARTNERS, IN THE EVENT
SHE IS CHEATING AND WATCHING.
>> WAYNE'S GOT IT ON HIS SHOE, TOO-- THE BIG GUY.
SO HE IS GOING TO COME IN, TOO.
>> OKAY, YUP, THAT'S FINE.
>> WHAT IS THAT ON HER NECK? >> A GOPRO CAMERA FROM MEDIA.
ALL RIGHT.
OH, BEFORE I DO THAT...
I'VE GOT TO HAVE EVERYBODY SLIDE THIS WAY
BECAUSE THAT IS WHERE I JUST PUT THOSE DROPS.
(laughing)
IF I CAN HAVE EVERYBODY DOWN HERE,
I FORGOT THAT WE HAD PUT THE DROPS RIGHT ON THE CORNER THERE,
SO SHE IS GOING TO BE INTERESTED IN THAT.
ALL RIGHT.
SEEK.
YOU'RE CHEATING.
WHAT A CHEATER. (audience laughing)
SEE, I KNEW THAT WAS GOING TO BE A PROBLEM.
OKAY, SEEK.
SEEK.
REALLY?
PUT YOUR NOSE DOWN.
RITZEY, SEEK.
SHOW ME, SHOW ME.
OH, SOMEBODY IS CHEATING.
(laughing)
SEEK.
>> YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO IT TWICE.
(audience laughing) >> RIGHT.
SHE GETS THE ONE PIECE.
WELL SEE, MY PARTNER ARRESTED YOU.
(laughing) OKAY, SEEK.
SEEK, SEEK.
OH, GOOD GIRL.
SEEK.
GO AHEAD AND SWITCH SPOTS
BECAUSE SHE WANTS EVERYBODY'S FEET NOW.
(mic cuts out)
READY?
SEEK, SEEK.
SEEK.
SEE HOW SHE SLOWLY CRAWLS-- SHE KNOWS IT'S THERE.
SHOW ME-- I WASN'T WATCHING.
THERE YOU GO-- THANK YOU.
SEEK.
CHEATER. (audience laughing)
SHE WILL GO FOR THE EASY MEAL EVERY TIME,
BUT SHE ONLY GETS ONE PIECE WHEN SHE DOES THAT.
ALL RIGHT, APPARENTLY WAYNE HAS GOT SOME GAS ON HIM?
GOOD GIRL.
NOW, WE'RE JUST GOING TO GIVE HER A BLIND,
AND THEN WE WILL HEAD BACK INTO THE ROOM.
SEEK.
THIS IS HELPS HER REALIZE THAT NOT EVERYBODY IS GOING TO--
(mic cuts out)
SEEK.
ALL RIGHT, WE WILL HEAD BACK IN.
(mic cuts out)
EACH OF YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN A LITTLE PACKET
THAT HAS AN ARTICLE REFERENCE TO ARSON CANINE,
AND ON THE BACK OF THAT
IS A 2011 ARSON SUSPICIOUS FIRE REPORT
BY EACH COUNTY.
THERE ARE 83 COUNTIES IN MICHIGAN.
PAGE TWO, I BELIEVE, IS GOING TO HAVE KENT COUNTY ON IT--
COUNTY NUMBER 41.
BY LOOKING AT THE INFORMATION HERE,
WE SEE THAT KENT COUNTY ALONE HAD 1,415 FIRES IN 2011.
FROM THERE, THAT VALUE WAS 15, ALMOST $16 MILLION IN DAMAGES
ON THOSE FIRES.
OF THOSE, THERE WERE 80 ARSON FIRES.
TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTEEN WERE SUSPICIOUS--
THAT COULD EITHER BE ARSON OR ITS CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED.
FOR THOSE TOTAL LOSSES FOR THE ARSONS AND SUSPICIOUS FIRES,
YOU KNOW, $5.75 MILLION.
THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY.
WHO IS PAYING FOR ALL THIS?
YOU AND I.
WITH THE ARSONS-- THE SUSPICIOUS AND CIVILIAN INJURIES,
THERE WERE FIVE PEOPLE THAT WERE HURT,
AND IN KENT COUNTY ALONE IN 2011,
THERE WERE THREE DEATHS CONTRIBUTED TO SUSPICIOUS
AND ARSON FIRES.
ORIGINALLY, WITHOUT THE CANINES, THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY--
THIS WAS FOR THE STATE OF MAINE WHERE WE WERE TRAINED AT
AND HAS MOST OF THE TRAINING DOCUMENTATION,
THERE WAS A 15 PERCENT PROSECUTION AND CONVICTION RATE
FOR ARSON FIRES.
WITH THE ADVENT OF THE DOGS, THEY ARE NOW UP TO 35 PERCENT,
AND IT GETS BETTER EACH TIME.
THERE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE CIRCUMSTANCES
THAT WE CAN'T GET THE CONFESSION,
WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH EVIDENCE,
WE CAN'T PUT THE PERSON TO THE SCENE
AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT.
THERE ARE ALWAYS GOING TO BE THINGS THAT PROHIBIT US
FROM HAVING THAT 100 PERCENT,
BUT THAT IS WHAT WE STRIVE FOR.
EVEN WITH THE DEMONSTRATION OUT HERE IN THE HALLWAY,
SHE IS NOT GOING TO BE 100 PERCENT EVERY TIME.
SHE'S GOING TO WALK PAST SOMETHING.
BUT IF SHE GETS FIVE OUT OF SIX, GREAT.
IF SHE GETS FOUR OUT OF SIX, THAT'S GREAT.
EVERY TIME I SEND A SAMPLE TO THE LAB AND IT COMES BACK
AS A POSITIVE HIT-- I MAY SEND IN THREE CANS,
ONE OF THEM IS POSITIVE, THAT IS 100 PERCENT.
SHE FOUND THE HYDROCARBON-- THE PETROLEUM-BASED HYDROCARBON--
AT THAT FIRE SCENE.
SO YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THESE FIGURES HERE--
MACOMB, THEY ACTUALLY HAVE AN ARSON DOG.
IS IT MACOMB?
YEAH, MACOMB COUNTY...
NOPE, I WANT OAKLAND, DON'T I?
I'M LOOKING FOR THE ONE BY DETROIT.
THAT HAS DETROIT...
THEY HAD 93 ARSONS THAT YEAR.
YOU KNOW, AND THAT'S JUST OUTSIDE OF DETROIT.
WE'RE KENT COUNTY, AND WE HAVE HALF AS MANY.
THAT IS SOME PRETTY SERIOUS NUMBERS.
YOU GO THROUGH AND ADD UP THE TOTAL DOLLARS FOR ALL OF THESE,
WHICH I HAVE NOT DONE...
YOU KNOW, WE'RE PROBABLY LOOKING AT THREE-QUARTERS
OF $1 MILLION-- ER, BILLION DOLLARS IN MICHIGAN ALONE.
THERE ARE SOME SERIOUS DOLLAR TOTALS HERE.
WHO PAYS FOR THIS?
YOU, I, INSURANCE COMPANIES-- EVERYBODY PAYS FOR THAT.
YOU PAY FOR ARSON BY YOUR INSURANCE RATES
BECAUSE YOU'RE PAYING FOR THE CLAIMS
THAT THEY HAVE HAD TO PAY.
IF THEY WERE ABLE TO PROVE THAT IT WAS ARSON, THEY DON'T PAY.
THAT'S A SAVINGS FOR THEM.
DO I WORK FOR THE INSURANCE COMPANIES?
ABSOLUTELY NOT.
STATE FARM, WHO PROVIDED THE DOG AND THE TRAINING
SIMPLY WANTS US OUT THERE TO BE A TOOL TO STOP THIS.
BY YOUR ATTENDING HERE, GOING THROUGH THIS CAMP HERE TODAY,
THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED--
THE SCIENTISTS WHO HELP US COME UP
AND TELL US WHAT IT IS.
BECAUSE LIKE I SAID, I CAN PACKAGE IT,
I CAN SEND IT TO YOU... (chuckling)
UNFORTUNATELY, IT'S THE SCIENTISTS--
I SHOULDN'T SAY "UNFORTUNATELY."
IT'S THE SCIENTISTS THAT PUT IT TOGETHER AND TELL US WHAT IT IS.
ALL RIGHT, ANY QUESTIONS?