Use dogs to detect wacko people?

[Jiminvirginia]

The recent shooting got me thinking. This may be a little out there but I wonder if dogs can be trained to detect when someone is "on the edge" and could use some further investigation.
I've observed this to some extent in my mutts. They seem to react differently to high stress people.

[Vern Humphrey]

Here's the problem I see -- a dog detects something that leads to your arrest. At your trial, how do you cross-examine the dog?

"Well, you cross-examine the handler." But that would be the handler telling you what the dog told him -- hearsay evidence.

[leftyo]

problem is , just like a drug dog, the handler can make them key on anything they want.

[JB White]

Certain people react to dogs differently, so dogs react to that. I've also noticed that dogs in one type of human environment get defensive when encountering someone from another. Whether it's the scent or the appearance of...let's call it an unfamiliar negative image, you don't know what the dog may actually be reacting to.

How many dogs would it take to determine pass or fail for one individual? Would you want a canine to be the one to deny you permission to make an otherwise legal purchase?
I understand your concerns and you know it's sort of out there, but reading head bumps and taking skull measurements would be more accurate. <---*sarcastic analogy*

[Vern Humphrey]

problem is , just like a drug dog, the handler can make them key on anything they want.

Exactly -- and he can even make them key without knowing he (the handler) is doing it. If the handler expects the dog to find something, the dog will find it.

[Jiminvirginia]

Yup good points. Might have some merit I think. Obviously a dogs testimony would not be admissable in court. Might be a usefull tool as part of a larger strategy.
Of course metal detectors would help and they dont need to be fed.
What I find fascinating is how a dog knows when you are getting some medicine it doesnt like. Its like they can read your mind.

[JB White]

Of course metal detectors would help and they dont need to be fed.

But they do need to be powered, maintained, and manned. Dog food is cheaper....putting watch dogs in the hallways might help? No more smoking in the boys room.

I've always found it amazing how well dogs can read us. Especially when part of the family. Most dogs anyway. Some dogs are clowns and some are just idiots.

[Jiminvirginia]

But they do need to be powered, maintained, and manned. Dog food is cheaper....putting watch dogs in the hallways might help? No more smoking in the boys room.

I've always found it amazing how well dogs can read us. Especially when part of the family. Most dogs anyway. Some dogs are clowns and some are just idiots.

Someone pointed out that dogs have spent the last 12,000 years analyzing us. No wonder they can read us like a book.

[S.A. Boggs]

Here's the problem I see -- a dog detects something that leads to your arrest. At your trial, how do you cross-examine the dog?

"Well, you cross-examine the handler." But that would be the handler telling you what the dog told him -- hearsay evidence.

You don't need court to remove someone for 72 hours, just a mental health law of removal. A court order can get you out of jail, it can't out of a mental hospital. Locally court of commitment is held @ the hospital and it is quite informal. I don't know of any judge who would go against a psychiatrists recommendation backed up by medical testimony. A dog can pickup on an individual's "edge" not much more. I trust Wolf when we are out in public and I watch her as she watches/smells people. A mental commitment is not an arrest in the legal sense and I have seen it to be quite affective. Mental hospitals don't want to keep people longer then necessary due to the tremendous cost. The goal is to stabilize the person quickly to return to society and some type of quality life for the person, not long time commitment. I suspect that Cruz will be committed for his natural life in a state institution. Cruz has proven a threat to society and needs long term treatment.
Sam

[clintonhater]

Someone pointed out that dogs have spent the last 12,000 years analyzing us. No wonder they can read us like a book.

That's "old science." Latest paleontological evidence puts it about 30,000.

[dogtag]

Someone pointed out that dogs have spent the last 12,000 years analyzing us. No wonder they can read us like a book.

Then how come they've never learned to use the toilet ?
Taking them walkies is a real bore.

[clintonhater]

I suspect that Cruz will be committed for his natural life in a state institution. Cruz has proven a threat to society and needs long term treatment.
Sam

You're probably right, the prosecution will choose an easy life commitment over a long drawn-out death penalty trial; but I hope we're both wrong.

[S.A. Boggs]

Then how come they've never learned to use the toilet ?
Taking them walkies is a real bore.

Ours is trained to go over to a 30 square yard area of our property, just tell them to go do their business. Go back to the door 5 minutes later and they are waiting to come back in.
Sam

[Jiminvirginia]

Then how come they've never learned to use the toilet ?
Taking them walkies is a real bore.

They define the "toilet" differently.

- - - Updated - - -

Ours is trained to go over to a 30 square yard area of our property, just tell them to go do their business. Go back to the door 5 minutes later and they are waiting to come back in.
Sam

Geez wish my mutts did that.

[dryheat]

A good thread, minus potty training. Someone or some bureau needs to clamp down on nutjobs. They're not hard to spot(que; so who decides?).