On the hunt: Human Remains Detection Dogs

Last week, I had a unique opportunity; I was invited to be one of the few people to observe human remains detection dogs identifying graves on the Carson River Route. Oregon California Trails Association (OCTA) worked with Institute for Canine Forensics (ICF) to identify 170-year-old grave sites.

The volunteers for ICF and their dogs are amazing. Each dog is trained to identify human bones or cremains from an early age. Search-and-rescue dogs look for live people while cadaver dogs look for the recently deceased. Instead, human remains dogs search for historical remains, human bones, and even cremated remains.

Kayle is a well-known human remains detection dog. The Border Collie was one of four dogs to search Nikumaroro Island, looking for the remains of Amelia Earhart.

Some of the dogs worked the Paradise Fire in California. They work with clients who lost their homes in the disaster and hoped to locate the cremated remains of loved ones. If two dogs alert to human remains, archeologists look for human remains’ unique color and texture. ICF estimates a 90% success rate.

Dee Owens of OCTA coordinated the day which was supervised by the US Forest Service. As we were working in recent burn areas, hard hats were required.

I had a great time talking with Sara, who recently purchased Around Here Magazine, a local publication in Placerville which has plans for sharing local events and history.

Tragedy Springs

Our first stop was Tragedy Springs, where three members of a scouting party for the Mormon Batallion, were murdered. The dogs were more interested in the spring than the cairn. This does not mean that bodies are under the spring box, scents could be emanating from the water supply.

Some sources say the Mormon Battalion buried the bodies above the spring and that the rock cairn was a memorial. Unfortunately, we could not explore beyond the clearing due to the recent fires. In the future, it might be possible to search the hillside.

The Real Maiden’s Grave

Below Tragedy Springs is Real Maiden’s Grave as opposed to the nearby Maiden’s Grave. The grave below the springs is thought to be that of young Rachel, who died on the trail in 1850. Locating the maiden’s grave took years and led to some confusion.

Real Maiden’s Grave is on private property, and OCTA did not have approval this trip to investigate the site. However, a human remains detection dog did not alert at the grave site on prior visits. So that leaves the question, is anyone buried in the Real Maiden’s Grave? If not, is where Rachael’s grave?

Emigrant Trail Road

We searched several locations identified as possible graves. The US Forest Service identified potential grave sites. Their place remains private to protect the graves as research continues.

Trading Post

As we were close, we looked for evidence of the Hoboken trading post. While we didn’t locate the specific site, we found the trail and markers dating to the early 1900s.

Maiden’s Grave

Our final stop was Maiden’s Grave. The grave was identified and marked by campers at Kirkwood resort who were intrigued with Rachael’s mother’s search. Confusion with locating Rachael’s grave led to the two maiden’s graves.

The dogs worked the area above Maiden’s Grave. Records indicate an infant who died in the 1930s may be buried in the area. Surprisingly, Maiden’s Grave, which belongs to Mr. Allen Melton, might not be at the current roadside location. The apparent grave might be only a marker, with the actual grave above.

History is often not static. New information comes to light, which can cause ripple effects affecting many stories. As technology improves and emigrant diaries are transcribed, we may continue to learn more about Tragedy Springs, The Real Maiden’s Grave, and the grave of Allen Melton. But, for now, the dog’s search left more answers than questions.

6-5-2022

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