How does a police dog know which is the scent of the criminal that they are supposed to be tracking?

Question

How does a police dog know which is the scent of the criminal that they are supposed to be tracking?

Answer 1

They track the scent of persons who are not present at the scene.

If there are 6 officers and 7 different scents then they will track the 7th scent.

Answer 2

The dog handler tells them to attack one person (the perp).  The dog only knows the sent of drugs.  They are trained to do as commanded.  They don't need to know.  they do as ordered.

Answer 3

haha have u just been watching send in the dogs so have i its great they can just tell when someone has been there as its a fresh scent

Answer 4

They are trained to follow a provided scent when instructed.  The dog's handler will have the dog smell and item of the suspects and instruct the dog to follow that sent.  Dogs have a much stronger sense of smell than us humans do.

Answer 5

If you are talking about a dog that tracks, like a bloodhound, they are given the scent off a article of clothing, a car, something the perp or victim touched etc.

Most regular police dogs are given a command to attack or are sent into an area where only the perp is and told to attack. No real tracking involved.