PIERRE, S.D.- Attorney General Marty Jackley announced today that the Division of Criminal Investigation has added a certified accelerant K-9 to the agency. The new investigator, Maggie, a 2 year-old yellow lab and her handler, Special Agent Chris Konrad, recently completed a six-week canine-accelerant detection training program in Virginia. To earn the ATF certification, all dogs must pass a blind test wherein they must successfully detect 20 different accelerant odors, two of which they were never exposed to during training. Maggie is capable of detecting a wide variety of ignitable liquids used to start fires. She will be used at fire scenes to help determine where fire originates.
“Maggie brings a unique set of skills to DCI. She can pick up on the presence of accelerants that may otherwise go undetected,” said Jackley. “Special Agent Konrad and Maggie are the only ATF trained arson detection K-9 team in a 4-state region and will play a vital role in arson investigations statewide.”
State Fire Marshal Al Christie said his office and DCI work closely together on many fire investigations.
“We welcome the addition of any asset that will help investigators identify the cause of a fire,’’ Christie said. “Having an arson detection K-9 team available is a valuable asset for public safety in South Dakota.’’
All ATF accelerant K-9 teams are recertified on a yearly basis. All of these teams are utilized by the ATF National Response Team on fire related callouts.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, February 15, 2011
CONTACT: Sara Rabern, (605) 773-3215
