Doc is the RCMP’s newest recruit in the search for missing Mount Allison University student Chris Metallic.
READ MORE: Meet Doc: the first RCMP cadaver dog in Canada
But this German Shepherd is not your typical police dog.
As part of the human remains detection team, Doc can find articles of clothing or human remains that have been buried for four, five or even 10 years.
A pilot project initiated last year by Nova Scotia RCMP and the province’s medical examiner, it has had success in its short existence.
“It’s a new tool for the RCMP, something we’ve not had before, for files just like this,” said Const. Brian Veniot.
He and his handler, Veniot, are in Sackville, N.B., to help with the search for Metallic, the aboriginal man who has been missing since November 2012. Metallic disappeared following a party at a residence in Sackville. A few days after his disappearance, footwear belonging to the then 20-year-old was found off the Haute-Aboujagane road, but Metallic remains missing.
Doc and his team will be in the Sackville area searching previous sites and following up on new leads.
The unit hopes it can find clues as to Metallic’s whereabouts or anything that will help with the case.
“We’re at a point in most files that us finding something does not necessarily determine court action, but it is going to bring closure to the families and that’s what our goal is really with this project,”said Veniot.