[Federal Register: July 30, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 146)]
[Notices]               
[Page 41487]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30jy99-170]                         

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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