K9 Human Remains Detection

Dog searching

All K9 workshops are held by the Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State (FACTS) in cooperation with FIRST Detection K9 and selected cadaver dog handlers.

History: K9 training coordinator Dr. Ben Alexander established the training seminars in 2013 bringing in nationally recognized trainers Ann Christensen and Bill Dotson as the initial instructors in order to establish a high-quality teaching program as well as mentor the next generation of instructors. We are forever grateful to Ann and Bill for their guidance in helping to create the guiding principles of this program. FACTS seminars provide access to outstanding training resources largely unobtainable in many parts of the country as well as provide valuable guidance to improve the performance of your HRD K9 partner.

Instructors are listed by the specific seminars, however, the current instructor staff consists of Ben Alexander, Tiffanie Turner, Karen Paquette, Kryssie Thompson, Kristin Smaltz-Blackmon and Greg Strickland. Current assistant instructors include Nadine Conner, Bruce Treziak, Pat Thorpe and Piper Scholfield. FIRST Detection K9 members and selected cadaver dog handlers from all over the country volunteer to provide assistance and to escort of K9 teams during training within the facility.

FACTS is a world-class facility and offers an experience that cannot be found anywhere else in the world! Participants are provided opportunities to expose their dogs to full body decomposition at the FACTS facility located on Freeman Ranch between San Marcos and Wimberley, TX. Training scenarios include full body burial and complete surface remains in various states of decomposition. K9 teams get to search for a recently deceased body in a 2-5 acre area with the ability to work the K9 off-lead. Students will have the opportunity to expose their dogs to a wide array of human remains varying in both size and level of decomposition from fresh to skeletonized.

Class size is always limited. We keep a 1 to 6 ratio (1 instructor to six students). Classroom instruction includes presentations such as human versus non-human bone identification, canine learning theory, decomposition, case studies, and courtroom issues.

Course Offerings

There are currently three levels of K9 workshops available at FACTS:

Level I K9 HRD Seminar 

This is the seminar we have been hosting at FACTS since 2013. This is a great seminar for getting a variety of whole-body decomposition odors in your dog’s database. This is appropriate for certified dogs at all stages of their careers.

Level I HRD K9 Puppy/Novice Seminar 

The puppies/juvenile dogs will be exposed to composite HR (hand, feet, arms, legs) and a whole fresh body. The dogs will be exposed in a positive manner. This seminar provides an opportunity to start your puppy/dog training on what they will actually be looking for as certified adults. This seminar is for puppies of a minimum age of 12 weeks old who have had three sets of shots and a rabies shot by the time of the seminar. Owners must send shot records as part of the application.

Level II Advanced Scenario K9 HRD Seminar

This seminar is for handlers who want to challenge their dogs and work realistic scenarios in a variety of environments with realistic and appropriate amounts of human remains for said scenario (trace to whole-body). Dogs must have either attended a Level I seminar to participate or get special approval from the instructor.

Level III Advanced Specialized Training

FACTS K9 training is now happy to offer Level III courses that are specialized topics and scenarios in K9 training that vary from course to course. Each Level III has specific requirements depending on the topic. Level III is set to be a challenging course for K9 teams who are currently going on deployments. The two areas of specialty we are currently offering are disaster and criminal investigations.

Private Training  

Groups may also book the facility for private training where the curriculum can be focused on the particular needs of the group. Contact Dr. Ben Alexander (information below) for further information on private seminars.

K9 Training Coordinator Contact Information

Name: Dr. Ben Alexander

Email: facts.k9@gmail.com

Phone: 979.739.8353

LEVEL III: HRD K9 SEMINAR

Dog Team Searching

Dates: October 5 & 6, 2024

Level III: Advanced Criminal Investigations

THIS COURSE IS NOW FULL

Instructor: Dr. Ben Alexander, Tiffanie Turner, Kryssie Thompson*

Criminal Investigation will focus on simulated real-world scenarios from real cases. These scenarios will take place in various environments. The scenarios will also involve a range of investigative material from full remains to trace evidence. K9 teams will work what is applicable to their expected missions. This course is for advanced HRD dogs who are actively deploying in criminal investigations.

How to register: All interested participants must complete an application below for consideration. Once your application is reviewed, you will be notified of your acceptance status and if accepted, you will be given a password for registration. Acceptance does not guarantee you a spot in the course. Spaces are filled on a first-come-first-served basis. We suggest you complete registration as soon as possible to ensure your space.

Application to Register: Please complete and submit the registration form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1hIfMr1mP2Emv3AHJTG_eqAxdfERQAlIq2xMqyXmtiiI/

Cancellation Policy: There are no refunds once payment is made. If you must cancel you have one year to apply your fee to a future course.

Cost: $550.00

Contact: Dr. Ben Alexander (979-739-8353 or facts.k9@gmail.com) for details about the course or Dr. Sophia Mavroudas (FACTS@txstate.edu or 512-245-1900) for local arrangements.

*Additional instructors may be added if demand and conditions allow

LEVEL I K9 Seminar

Dog Team Searching

Nov 1-3, 2024

THIS COURSE IS NOW FULL

Location: Texas State University, Freeman Ranch 2021 Freeman Ranch Road, San Marcos

Times: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

Instructors:  Dr. Ben Alexander, Tiffanie Turner, Kryssie Thompson, Greg Strickland

How to register: All interested participants must complete a registration for consideration. Once your application is reviewed, you will be notified of your acceptance status and if accepted, you will be given a password for registration. Acceptance does not guarantee you a spot in the course. Spaces are filled on a first-come first-served basis. We suggest you complete registration as soon as possible to ensure your space. 

Application to Register: Please use this registration application form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1hIfMr1mP2Emv3AHJTG_eqAxdfERQAlIq2xMqyXmtiiI/

Cancellation Policy: There are no refunds once payment is made. If you must cancel you have one year to apply your fee to a future course.

Cost: $500.00

Contact: Dr. Ben Alexander (979-739-8353 or facts.k9@gmail.com) for details about the course or Dr. Sophia Mavroudas (FACTS@txstate.edu or 512-245-1900) for local arrangements.

2025 Courses

Dog Team Searching

Level I HRD K9 Puppy/Novice

Jan 11 & 12, 2025

Location: Texas State University, Freeman Ranch 2021 Freeman Ranch Road, San Marcos

Times: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Saturday and Sunday

Instructors:  Dr. Ben Alexander, Tiffanie Turner

How to register: All interested participants must complete a registration for consideration. Once your application is reviewed, you will be notified of your acceptance status and if accepted, you will be given a password for registration. Acceptance does not guarantee you a spot in the course. Spaces are filled on a first-come first-served basis. We suggest you complete registration as soon as possible to ensure your space. 

Application to Register: Please use this registration application form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1hIfMr1mP2Emv3AHJTG_eqAxdfERQAlIq2xMqyXmtiiI/

Cancellation Policy: There are no refunds once payment is made. If you must cancel you have one year to apply your fee to a future course.

Cost: $465.00

Contact: Dr. Ben Alexander (979-739-8353 or facts.k9@gmail.com) for details about the course or Dr. Sophia Mavroudas (FACTS@txstate.edu or 512-245-1900) for local arrangements.

Level II Advanced Scenario HRD K9

March 7-9, 2025             ***Registration now open***

Location: Texas State University, Freeman Ranch 2021 Freeman Ranch Road, San Marcos. 

Times: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Friday, Saturday, and Sunday

How to register: All interested participants must complete a registration form for consideration. Once your application is reviewed, you will be notified of your acceptance status and if accepted, you will be given a password for registration. Acceptance does not guarantee you a spot in the course. Spaces are filled on a first-come first-served basis. We suggest you complete registration as soon as possible to ensure your space.

Application to Register:  https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1hIfMr1mP2Emv3AHJTG_eqAxdfERQAlIq2xMqyXmtiiI/

Cancellation Policy: There are no refunds once payment is made. If you must cancel you have one year to apply your fee to a future course. 

Instructors:  Ben Alexander, Tiffanie Turner, Karen Paquette, Kryssie Thompson, Kristin Smaltz-Blackmon and Greg Strickland

Cost: $550.00

Level I: Paleo Human Detection Dog Conference

May 12-15, 2025   ***Registration now open***

Location: Texas State University, Grady Early Building 1921 Old Ranch Rd 12, San Marcos

Time: 8:00AM to 5:00PM Monday through Thursday

How to register: All participants must be professionals in the field of anthropology/archaeology or enrolled students at the university level in a related field. Permission for non-professionals can be requested by emailing Dr. Ben Alexander  (facts.k9@gmail.com). 

Payment/Registration site is linked here

Spaces are filled on a first-come first-served basis. We suggest you complete registration as soon as possible to ensure your space.

Cancellation Policy: There are no refunds once payment is made. If you must cancel you have one year to apply your fee to a future course. 

Instructors: Dr. Ben Alexander, Lisa Higgins, Adela Morris and additional Guest Speakers

Cost: $800.00 professional, $400.00 student

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