Executive Summary
- Gilbert Fire and Rescue has deployed Xanadu, a yellow Labrador retriever trained by the ATF to detect ignitable liquids.
- Xanadu is currently the only ATF-certified accelerant-detection canine operating in Arizona.
- The canine can identify six classes of accelerants, including gasoline and kerosene, to assist in arson determinations.
- Since joining the force in October, the canine has assisted investigators in approximately 12 cases.
The Gilbert Fire and Rescue Department has officially integrated a new specialized asset into its investigative division: Xanadu, a yellow Labrador retriever certified by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as an accelerant-detection canine. This addition marks a significant enhancement to the department’s forensic capabilities.
According to Gilbert Fire Investigator Josiah S., the canine completed a rigorous 12-week training program with the ATF before commencing active duty in October. Xanadu is trained to detect six specific classifications of ignitable liquids, including gasoline, kerosene, diesel fuel, and lighter fluid, which are often utilized to initiate incendiary fires.
The canine replaces Zeta, the department’s previous arson dog who recently retired. Investigator Josiah S. noted that Xanadu’s olfactory capabilities allow her to systematically search complex fire scenes, identifying traces of accelerants amidst charred debris and water damage with greater efficiency than human investigators. “She’s able to search the area and alert us to where ignitable liquids are,” Josiah S. stated.
Operational seven days a week, Xanadu undergoes twice-daily training sessions to maintain her proficiency. Since her deployment, she has assisted in approximately one dozen cases. Officials report that she is currently the sole ATF-certified accelerant-detection canine operating within the state of Arizona.
Forensic Resource Allocation
The deployment of ATF-trained canines in municipal fire departments serves as a force multiplier for arson investigations. By rapidly identifying the presence of accelerants, these units streamline the evidence collection process and narrow the scope of forensic analysis required at crime labs. As the only resource of this caliber currently in Arizona, this addition enhances regional capabilities for distinguishing between accidental fires and deliberate acts of arson.
