NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has added a pooch to the force who can sniff out hard drives, flash drives and other electronic storage devices that could hold evidence, especially in child exploitation cases.
The agency says a 2-year-old yellow Labrador Retriever named Zeus has a nose trained to detect a chemical compound used on practically all electronic storage items, even micro SD cards less than a millimeter thick.
TBI says Zeus will help find devices in hard-to-see places, including wall cracks, clothing, ceiling tiles, boxes, dirty laundry or the garbage.
He also will serve as a comfort companion.
Federal money through the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force in Tennessee was used to buy Zeus, pay for initial team training and purchase equipment. TBI will cover ongoing care.