Topic: Drug Dog

A study from the University of California, Davis, found that drug and bomb-sniffing dogs have an 85% failure rate when their handlers are misled into thinking contraband is present. The researchers concluded that the dogs are often influenced by their handlers' cues rather than actual scents, calling into question the legal reliability of canine alerts.

A 16-year-old listener's email describes intense security measures in American schools, including random drug dog searches during lockdown drills. This is paired with a news report from Aurora, Colorado, regarding the sale of $300 bulletproof backpacks for children. The hosts compare these modern security measures to the "duck and cover" drills of the 1950s, labeling them as a form of "slave training" and psychological control.

The Supreme Court's 5-4 decision requiring police to obtain a warrant before using drug-sniffing dogs on a suspect's property is discussed. Justice Antonin Scalia wrote the majority opinion, which the hosts find notable for its alignment with liberal justices. They argue that the ruling is a victory for Fourth Amendment protections against illegal searches.

A Supreme Court case regarding the use of drug-sniffing dogs on a suspect's porch is discussed. The hosts argue that dogs are "trained to lie" to provide police with probable cause for warrantless searches. They predict that "terrorist-sniffing dogs" will be the next evolution in domestic surveillance.

A host describes a relocation to Austin, Texas, involving a confrontation at a highway border patrol checkpoint on I-10. The account details a drug dog's false positive on a vehicle containing wine and plants, leading to a search and a temporary detention. The narrative highlights the use of prison cells for restroom breaks and the perceived lack of Fourth Amendment protections at internal checkpoints.

Protesters in Oakland are fighting a proposed gang injunction that would allow police to arrest members for any illegal activity. In the UK, police in Kent are using GE "MobileTrace" devices to scan club-goers' hands and money for drug residue as a condition of entry. The hosts describe these measures as "pre-crime" enforcement.

Upon arriving in San Francisco, Curry encountered a customs beagle and expresses surprise that the dog did not detect "herbs" left in his jacket pocket. The hosts debate whether the dog was trained for drugs, bombs, or agricultural products like fruit and nuts. Curry also complains about the poor treatment of "upper class" luggage by ground handling services.