[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 146 (Friday, July 30, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 41487]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-19520]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms
[Notice No. 878]
The Department of the Treasury's Odor Recognition Proficiency
Standard for Explosives Detection Canines (99R-235P)
AGENCY: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Department of
the Treasury.
ACTION: Notice of availability.
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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) is
announcing the availability of the Department of the Treasury's Odor
Recognition Proficiency Standard for Explosives Detection Canines. The
standard has been revised using solicited input and recommendations
from other Federal law enforcement agencies that use explosives
detection canines. A copy of the standard is available to all
interested persons.
ADDRESSES: To receive a copy of the Department of the Treasury's Odor
Recognition Proficiency Standard, send a written request, on official
law enforcement or government letterhead, to: Chief, Canine Operations
Branch, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, 650 Massachusetts
Avenue, NW., Room 5100, Washington, DC 20226.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rhonda Bokorney, Chief, Canine
Operations Branch, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, 650
Massachusetts Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20226 (202-927-8680).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
On September 30, 1996, the Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act
of 1997, Public Law 104-208, authorized the Secretary of the Treasury
to establish a standard for explosives detection canines. Section
653(a) of the Act provides the following:
Authoritzation.--The Secretary of the Treasury is authorized to
establish scientific certification standards for explosives
detection canines, and shall provide, on a reimbursable basis, for
the certification of explosives detection canines employed by
Federal agencies, or other agencies providing explosives detection
services at airports in the United States.
The Secretary of the Treasury requested the Bureau of Alcohol,
Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) to develop the standard. On September 29,
1997, we published in the Federal Register a notice announcing the
establishment of an odor recognition proficiency standard for
explosives detection canines (Notice No. 97-101; 62 FR 50982). The
standard included a minimum odor recognition proficiency test which
could be used by agencies that use detection canines. Copies of the
odor recognition proficiency standard were available to all interested
persons.
In Notice No. 97-101, we also stated that the established odor
recognition proficiency standard would be further tested and validated.
Prior to its being scientifically validated, the standard was revised
using solicited input and recommendations from other Federal law
enforcement agencies that use explosives detection canines.
From May 28, 1998, through February 1999, the Oak Ridge National
Laboratory, managed by Lockheed Martin Energy Research Corporation for
the U.S. Department of Energy, conducted an independent assessment of
the validity of the odor recognition proficiency standard. On march 10,
1999, the Laboratory issued a final report that concluded the standard
and test are valid for the measure of the proficiency for detecting
explosives odors at the recognition and alerting phase of training.
A copy of the revised Department of the Treasury's Odor Recognition
Proficiency Standard is available to law enforcement and government
agencies.
Authority and Issuance: This notice is issued under the
authority in Sec. 653, Pub. L. 104-208, 110 Stat. 3009.
Signed: July 23, 1999.
John W. Magaw,
Director.
[FR Doc. 99-19520 Filed 7-29-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4810-31-M
