NCJ Number
121996
Journal
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 58 Issue: 8 Dated: (August 1989) Pages: 26-32
Date Published
1989
Length
7 pages
Annotation
Using dogs to detect drugs is an extremely effective approach in efforts to address drug trafficking and is constitutionally permissible under guidelines established in several decisions of the United States Supreme Court and lower courts.
Abstract
The Supreme Court's decision in United States v. Place endorsed the use of dogs in public places. Other courts have also held that the use of a drug-detection dog to sniff items placed in the care and custody of third parties is not a search under the Fourth Amendment. They have also upheld dog sniffs in motor vehicles or trains. However, using a dog in a private home or hotel room generally requires prior judicial authorization or another justification under one of the exceptions to the requirement for a search warrant. 43 references.