Minute Wasp & Robo Dog

It seems the future of police work truly rests on the shoulders and thoraxes of the non-humans. Back in 2001, Dutch scientists discovered that wasps could be used to literally "“sniff out"” buried mines, and could one day be used as early detectors for biological attacks. The tests were conducted on behalf of the US Defense Department.

"The idea is to use the unique powers of these rare creatures in ways which can assist national defense," said Jane Walker, a spokesman for the US Defense Department's Advanced Research Agency.

Scientists were especially excited about the speed in which the wasps could be trained in comparison to our beloved K-9’s.

The scientists say that the wasps they are using - from the southern states of America - can perform to far higher standards than any sniffer dog and take as little as an hour to train.

So the recent news that "“Wasp Hounds"” will now be used by US law enforcement and could soon replace drug and bomb sniffing dogs comes as no surprise. Although the military is technically not supposed to get involved with law enforcement, every once and a while a little intermingling and borrowing can'’t hurt too much. I mean they did also give us the internet and the cell phone. Yet, it'’s still hard to imagine that the insect responsible for stirring fear in the hearts of suburban children for decades could be so useful in sniffing out crime. These super-wasps are even smarter then their 2001 predecessors with their training times reduced from one hour to a just a few minutes.

Scientists say a species of non-stinging wasps can be trained in only five minutes and are just as sensitive to odors as man's best friend, which can require up to six months of training at a cost of about $15,000 per dog.

But dog lovers fear not. Just when you thought the insects would take over all of Scooby'’s duties, law enforcement in the UK have created a new job for their furry friend: camera-dog. In North Umbria, officers are experimenting with a wireless camera system (predictably dubbed Fido) that is mounted to the dog'’s head or harness. It has the capability to work in low light and beams back images and monitoring officers can literally get a “dog'’s eye view” of a particular situation.

These dogs must be well motivated though and definitely cool under pressure.

PC Jim Soutar, who has responsibility for the force's dogs, told the BBC: "I'm constantly looking at general purpose dogs throughout the force and if I think they have potential I will give them a development programme.

"We're looking for dogs with above average drive who can operate under stressful conditions."

But that doesn'’t meant these dogs won'’t be comforted as well, those Bobbies after all have always had a penchant for compassion and fashion.

North Umbria Police has something of a reputation when it comes to canine policing. Earlier in the year it became the first force to introduce boots for its police dogs.

Sting me, bite me.

Scientists train 'sniffer' wasps as mine hunters (TELEGRAPH)
Wasps could replace bomb, drug dogs (NEWSDAY)
Police unleash dogcam crime busters (VNUNET.COM)