These dogs are trained to detect hidden electronic devices that might contain illegal images, communications, or evidence of online exploitation. They’ve been used across South Carolina and nationwide in ICAC investigations, helping to uncover evidence that would otherwise go undetected.
Of course the dogs can't smell images or videos, they're used to smell a chemical compound used in the manufacturing process of electronic devices. This would be similar to if drug sniffing dogs were trained to smell plastic baggies and not the actual drugs themselves.
What Are Electronic Detection Dogs Trained to Find?
These dogs aren’t sniffing out drugs or explosives—they’re trained on a chemical compound called triphenylphosphine oxide (TPPO).
TPPO is found in many electronics, especially in the manufacturing of:
USB drives
SD and microSD cards
Hard drives
Smartphones and tablets
Small circuit boards
This compound is consistent across electronic storage devices and is stable enough for dogs to detect, even in very small amounts.
How Are They Used in ICAC Cases?
One of the primary uses of digital detection dogs is in search warrants executed by Internet Crimes Against Children task forces. When a suspect is accused of possessing or distributing illegal material online, law enforcement often uses these dogs to search homes, vehicles, and workspaces for concealed devices.
In many ICAC investigations, suspects are aware they’re being watched. They may go to great lengths to hide storage devices inside furniture, behind electrical outlets, or in ceilings or floorboards. Human investigators often miss these. The dogs don’t.
Legal Implications and Your Defense
If you or someone you care about is under investigation by an ICAC task force or has been arrested based on digital evidence, it’s important to know:
How the evidence was obtained matters.
Were proper warrants used?
Was the search too broad or overly invasive?
Is the evidence reliable and admissible in court?
Even when digital detection dogs are used, constitutional protections under the Fourth Amendment still apply. An experienced defense lawyer, such as James Snell, can investigate whether your rights were violated and challenge the introduction of unlawfully obtained evidence.
Talk to a Lawyer Today
At the Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr., LLC, we understand the seriousness of ICAC allegations and the unique tactics law enforcement uses to build their cases. We’ve represented individuals across South Carolina facing criminal investigations involving digital evidence, and we know how to challenge improperly obtained or unreliable findings.
If you’ve been contacted by law enforcement, had your home searched, or are being accused of a crime involving the Internet or electronic evidence, call us for a free, confidential consultation at (803) 359-3301.
Don’t wait. The sooner you act, the more options you may have.