Canine-assisted investigation is an important asset of law enforcement and thereby a critical link in the chain of probable cause. This term, the U.S. Supreme Court issued two opinions involving K-9 detection. One concentrated on the reliability of drug sniffing evidence based on pedigree, and the other focused on the sanctity of the home in the face of a supersensory advantage. Both decisions are raising critical concerns over the future of the Fourth Amendment.
Florida, Florida
Clayton Harris had been pulled over due to an expired license plate. The officer who stopped him was accompanied by a dog trained to detect illicit drugs, i.e., methamphetamine, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and ecstasy. Based on Harris’ nervous appearance and refusal to consent to a search, the K-9 officer retrieved Aldo, a German Shepherd.
