Cadaver dogs are working dogs with an unpleasant yet very important job in society. These dogs are trained to pick up and track the scent of deceased individuals. Also known as human remains detection dogs, cadaver dogs often go out in the field in missing person cases where a dead body is suspected.

The handler needs to have a clean and current background check and be well schooled in the forensics that apply to this specialty and also well versed in the different stages of decomposition, scent theory, crime scene preservation, blood-borne pathogens and working around hazardous materials.