Cadaver Dog Training
星空传媒鈥檚 Human Remains Detection (HRD) K9 trainings offer hands-on, scenario-based learning opportunities for professional K9 handler teams. Led in partnership with 星空传媒鈥檚 Department of Forensic Anthropology and offered in collaboration with the Emergency and Disaster Management Program, these trainings take place on the Cullowhee campus and at locations throughout Western North Carolina. Each course is designed to reflect real-world recovery conditions across a range of environments.
- All classes are held on the campus of 星空传媒 in Cullowhee,
NC
- All Participants train with real human remains (not pseudo) to simulate actual deployment conditions
鈥淒o not expect a HRD K9 to recover that which it has not been imprinted on, nor expect it to give a reliable and accurate final response if it has not been well trained on the many VOCs of actual human decomposition.鈥� -- Dr. Lisa Briggs
HRD K9 Training Standards & Requirements
All HRD K9 trainings offered through 星空传媒:
- Are led by Dr. Lisa Briggs and instructor Edwin Grant, in partnership with 星空传媒鈥檚 Department of Forensic Anthropology
- Require all participating K9s to be current on vaccinations (documentation required at registration)
- Require participants to possess a satisfactory level of physical fitness to enroll in and successfully complete this course/training. Due to the physically demanding nature of the curriculum/discipline (search and recovery in and of itself), which may include activities such as fieldwork, standard tasks associated with deployments, or endurance-based tasks, students should be able to meet these expectations. This requirement ensures that all participants can safely and effectively engage with the course material and perform the necessary tasks without risk to themselves or others.
- Are non-refundable (more information under Refunds below).
- Includes lunch on Friday and Saturday, and a commemorative 星空传媒 K9 Training T-shirt
- Includes community building opportunities - Friday night social event for networking and support among handlers
Additional course-specific prerequisites and requirements are listed within each training description.
Water Recovery of Human Remains 鈥� Level 1
August 7-9, 2026 | Limit: 12 Teams
Cost: $525 per K9/handler team
Water recovery is one of the most complex and critical components of missing persons investigations. This course prepares HRD K9 teams to operate in aquatic environments where scent movement, visibility, and environmental conditions create significant challenges.
Course Content
- Classroom instruction covering aquatic scent behavior and recovery strategies
- Field training on lakes, rivers, and creeks in Jackson and Macon Counties
- Hands-on work with varied watercraft and environmental conditions
Common Recovery Scenarios Covered
- Drownings and boating accidents
- Homicide investigations
- Natural disasters (flooding, hurricanes)
- Search efforts involving vulnerable populations
Important Notes
- Limited enrollment due to individualized watercraft training
- Participants should be prepared for physically demanding field conditions
This course is non-refundable (more information under Refunds below).
Advanced Water Recovery 鈥� Level 2
October 2-4, 2026 | Limit: 12 Teams
Cost: $550 per K9/handler team
This advanced, scenario-based course is designed for experienced HRD K9 teams to deepen their skills in aquatic recovery using real human remains in realistic deployment conditions.
Water recovery is a complex, critical skill in the field of missing persons and victim recovery. Whether it鈥檚 due to accidental drownings, natural disasters, or criminal circumstances, aquatic environments require specialized K9 training rarely offered elsewhere.
Course Features
- Classroom sessions covering aquatic scent behavior, decomposition science, safety
protocols, and deployment planning
- Scenario-based field exercises on lakes, rivers, creeks, and ponds in Jackson and
Macon Counties, North Carolina
- Training using multiple boats and watercraft
- Emphasis on independent K9 performance and handler evaluation
Prerequisite
- Completion of Level 1 Water Recovery (or equivalent, formal experience on a boat)
Important Notes
- Not suitable for beginner handlers or untrained K9s
- K9s must be confident working on watercraft with trained final responses
This course is non-refundable (more information under Refunds below).
Burned Human Remains HRD K9 Training
November 2026 Training TBA | Limit: 15 Teams
Cost: $525 per K9/handler team
We are excited to offer an exclusive training opportunity designed specifically for law enforcement, fire services, and formal emergency response personnel working with Human Remains Detection (HRD) canines. Due to the sensitive and advanced nature of this course, official agency credentials will be required at the time of registration.
This intensive course builds on previous 星空传媒 HRD trainings and includes a hands-on controlled-burn training environment using human remains.
Course Highlights
- Controlled-burn training scenarios utilizing human remains
- Full-body burned cadaver recovery, cremains, burned tissue, and bone fragments
- Training both on campus and at off-site locations across Western North Carolina
Important Notes
- This course is intended for experienced HRD K9 teams only
- K9s must be trained in human odor detection with a reliable final indication
- Official agency credentials are required at registration (Proof of police/fire/rescue
affiliation can include an issued ID, employment verification paperwork, or other
official documentation)
- PLEASE HAVE DOCUMENTS READY TO UPLOAD AS A CLEAR JPG OR PDF DURING THE REGISTRATION
PROCESS.
If you are not yet comfortable working with burned human remains, we encourage you to explore our other K9 training options provided through 星空传媒.
We are also happy to coordinate customized small-group trainings for agencies, based on availability.
This course is non-refundable (more information under Refunds below).
Cadaver Dog Training 鈥� Level One
Dates TBA | Limit: 18 Teams (Observers by special permission)
This foundational course is designed for beginner HRD K9 teams, while also serving as a refresher for more experienced teams.
Course Content
- Exposure to human remains, buried remains, bone fragments, and training aids
- K9 olfactory system fundamentals and scent detection training
- Handler techniques to reduce cueing and improve search accuracy
- Search theory and best practices
- Case study reviews of real-world recoveries
Training Focus
- Independent odor recognition and commitment
- Clear, confident final responses from the K9
- Reducing handler error
Important Notes
- One handler per K9
- Limited observer slots available by special permission at $250.00
This course is non-refundable (more information under Refunds below).
Refunds:
Refunds are not available once registration is complete.
If you wish to transfer your registration to another team member, you must contact
星空传媒 Continuing Education and Summer Programs at 828.227.7397 or learn@wcu.edu at least 10 business days in advance to request the change. Refunds will not be issued
due to weather conditions. In the event of rain, training will be accommodated with
indoor exercises.
For questions or to verify your eligibility, please contact us at learn@wcu.edu.
Thanks to the many cadaver donors who have given their remains in the name of science to 星空传媒, the craft of training human remains detection dogs is possible.